From The Beekeeper's Daughter

Romance of the Cup

 

"Living here in Rio, I have lots of coffees
to choose from.  And when you're on the lam
like me, you appreciate a good cup of coffee."

  -Ronald Biggs, Great Train Robber


The last great round
that Latin orb
the morning eye that measures you.

No Nescafe
premature percolation
or Sanka, the sexless drip.

Give me the send off, a European handshake,
the South American kissoff,
the bossa nova, the tango on the tongue
that wraps your hands around it
smooth as Ricardo Montalban's voice.

The froth that erupts
from the tall glass cup
with the dexterous spoon.

Earth milk, liquid jazz.
Espresso, the fast fuck in an elevator.
The Brazilian cherry, the Venetian bind,
the Turkish threat.

The cappucino hue of your skin
when it's loved.
The slow grind, the bitter syrup
at the bottom
flecked with cinnamon.

The night in a mug,
dream's diesel.



©Bruce Hunter, 1986 -- unauthorized duplication prohibited