Green Peas at Stake

Manhattan

Manhattan

Maraschino cherries,
spare tires in the bottom
of the glass;
a distinct moment of revelation
when long-handled glass stirrers
filter the sunlight, working out
new kinks.

Sweetness, a good foil
though spoils quickly,
as pearly whites anticipate
the crush after the sip.

The heart of the lion
holds the brightest star;
no, not Regulus
but Manhattan, the city
I toast to.

With words like anesthetics
to wounds still bleeding,
here’s to a beginning
renewed
cheers after cheers:
“Let our hearts be wide open!”