MANHATTAN: An Archaeology presents Eileen R. Tabios' latest innovative approach to poetry-making. In this book, she uses a diverse set of "artifacts" to excavate a version of New York City's historical birthplace. Artifacts include the unexpected and the ineffable to create a city only she can imagine-while they include a pearl necklace, piece of pineapple skin, yoga mat, black sateen, and bullet, the "objects" for perusal also range over moonlight, "withheld forgiveness, " and duende. The result, too, is unexpected and ineffable: Poetry that delights and intrigues. Some receptive readers will wake from the book missing something they hadn't realized they missed, longing for something they hadn't realized they desired.