libations

the way ice sounds

as it settles into a glass of whiskey--

                         it's like getting your shoulders rubbed

                                        at the end of a long day

the crack and hiss

of a cold can of beer opening--

                         feels like relief from pressure,

                                        tastes like the nectar of hard work

the pluck! of a cork

dislodged from the bottle of Cabernet--

                          it brings color to my cheeks

                                         and excitement to my soul

living just to be liberated by libations