Cashew
The old man at my door
hands me the bag of Chinese food,
quietly wishes me good luck.
I eat my egg roll, then
open the cashew chicken.
Where are the cashews,
I mutter darkly, as I push
fat pieces of pepper around.
I find exactly eight nuts.
They’re big but I want more.
Afterwards, I crack my cookie,
study the fortune inside. You will
find what you are looking for
it says. Ha I say. My cat stares
with his cryptic white face.
Later that evening I sleep
deeply. I don’t see the moon
curved like a cashew in the sky,
smiling down at me; I don’t
see my cat dancing dreamily
in its pale light before coming to
sit beside me, how he raises his paw
like those little statues, whispers
good luck. . .
by Tricia Marcella Cimera
Editor’s Note: This poem’s narrative voice is a delight because it is so real, right up until the dreamlike conclusion.
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