Oranges By Gary Soto Summary

In the poem, “Oranges”, Gary Soto expresses his narrator's experience through imagery that appeals to the senses. On a particularly Cold evening in December, a twelve-year-old boy left his perch next to the fire and kept his hands in his winter coat. He was going to brave the cold for a special event. His first date. Nervously, he walked five blocks to his girlfriend’s house with a nickel and two oranges weighing down in his worn pockets.
The fog was low, but he could still see her yellow porch light glowing brightly. The sight of her gleaming house bathed in light settled his nerves. It was warm and inviting, just like her. So he wanted to impress her, he smoothed his hair and tucked in his shirt. As he looked up, there she was, pulling

at her gloves, face bright. “Hi,” he squeaked, “you look pretty.” She looked at him and smiled. He looked away and sheepishly murmured, “Ready?” She seemed to float off the porch beautifully and effortlessly. He briefly touched her shoulder as they headed down the dark street. They walked in silence past a used car lot and a line of newly planted trees. As they walk to the drugstore, “Thanks,” she said as he opened the drugstore’s door for her; the bell delightfully announcing their entrance. There was an entire aisle of sweets and goodies. “What would you like?” he asked. Light in her eyes, a smile starting at the corners of her mouth, she was giddy with delight. She chose a chocolate bar that cost a dime. He did not want her to know that he was five cents short, so he silently took the chocolate to the counter while she continued to stroll through the aisles. He took out a nickel then reached back into his pocket for an orange. Anxiously, He set both on the counter, hoping that the saleslady would accept his trade. Lady looked at him for a long while then smiled and winked and said, “You two lovebirds have a good night.”
When they walked outside, He took her hands in his hands. He felt so warm despite the fog hanging like old coats from the trees. After a couple blocks, He released her hand so she could unwrap her chocolate. At the same time, He peeled his orange that shone so bright against the gray of December, that from some distance, someone might have thought he was making a fire with his hands.