Mantis 21 (Summer 2023)
To Raise a Glass, or Down It

Jenna Cardinale


Two Dreams

After our boat sinks, we sit

on the side not touching

the ocean floor. We can breathe

without effort, so we stay here

and watch the whales

play above.

Jam jars filled

with cocktails for

consumption by

the constant lake.

We have popsicles after,

in our own apartments.


JENNA CARDINALE writes poems. The author of two chapbooks, her work can be found in Allium, Verse Daily, and Pom Pom Press. She lives in Brooklyn, New York, which is her favorite place.