Months have passed since I enjoyed the atmosphere of a coffeehouse, but I remember those occasions well. My memories have blended with a chapter on coffee in A History of the World in 6 Glasses; the result is poetry.
Morning light through tall windows,
the gentle bustle of an outlying community waking up,
a friend’s smile welcoming me from across a small table,
aromatic steam prompting my silent oh yes,
and a sense of my wealth that defies the math …
Would I have gaily entered London’s first coffeehouse
nearly 400 years ago, high-spirited with the sense of
life starting afresh, having forsworn beer and wine for
the new drink that made water safe and my mind clear?
Would I have departed proudly
after disputing the merits of the monarchy,
questioning the wisdom of the Greeks,
and catching up on the latest scientific developments,
all the while sensing myself at the forefront
of a new Age of Reason?
These days to depart with the joy of living is enough,
though I’m stirred to check what help I’ve sent lately
for those who struggle to survive,
for whom the price of my coffee
could mean food for the day.
A little trivia: A special study by the National Coffee Association revealed that consumers spent $74.2 billion on coffee in America in 2015. Adding together all the expenditures to bring us that coffee, from roasters to counter attendants, the NCA calculated that coffee accounted for 1.6% of the nation’s GDP.
I am not a coffee drinker myself, but my kids are addicts! It is definitely an interesting obsession in our country. As always, I enjoy your thoughts and your talented ways of expressing them.
According to the study by the National Coffee Association, you’re among the 24% of American adults who don’t drink coffee, Imo Jeane. I agree that it’s an interesting obsession, and I will forever be dumbfounded by how much Americans spend on it.
I recall times when we were cautioned not to drink coffee when pregnant, Not so now. I recall when I had the pot on all day and drank it all day. I went to Hawaii with a daughter, she needed coffee constantly, all day. She became ill with C dif this last spring and suddenly, couldn’t stand coffee. I am now having one Kpod in the morning, stretching it to 2 cups. Some times I hanker for a mid afternoon cup, but not often.
I like you inference about coffee being safer to drink than water in London, lo these 400 years ago.
It’s strange how our relationship with a beverage or food can change over the years, isn’t it? My personal history with coffee is a story too.
I am reading this with a cup of coffee, my drug in the morning for energy and chronic headaches. I have gone for periods of time with no coffee, but always come back for its medicinal use. I drink it black and don’t understand the obsession with Starbucks, whose black coffee I hate—it needs sugar, cream etc to make it palatable.
Your last paragraph was a twist I did not expect and boom, reminds me of reality. I love your words.
I’m glad the words grabbed you, Gwynne. I grew up with tea-drinking parents, and although I learned to drink coffee as an adult, I always have to have cream. Except at Starbucks, where I always order latte!
My Sanka misses the mark with Starbucks, which I think is overrated, but not too bad if it is necessary as a replacement for the real stuff.
Thanks for prompting a chuckle, Doris.
You are so right, this pandemic has changed our perspective of everything. Your pieces are always so thoughtful. That’s part of the fun of reading your pieces.
Thank you, Becky.