Coffee

COFFEE

Coffee is a brown man

Made from soil,

Pressed into shape,

Fired shiny,

Waxen as a lizard,

Hat white like dried-out shells,

Pulling at reins of a rearing horse,

Hooves sharp as pickaxes

Kicking up bright clouds of lime.

Dark and fragrant visitor,

He makes his diffident presence felt:

Memories of fresh bread,

Woody nuts,

Heady camphor.

They lighten

Slumbering burdens,

Heavy luggage hauled about

By traveling sleepwalkers.

Swinging open the cabinet,

He hands out syrups to sweeten

Unfulfilled dreams,

Hot poultices to soothe

Unforgotten nightmares,

Tonics for the family,

Ointments for friends,

Infusions for the jaded,

Bandages for the heart.

Made from soil...