- the bittersweet taste of her morning -

The genes,
the books she read,
messages written in the clouds,
the words unsaid.

The death of an uncle
who used to draw angels for her;
experiences that collide,
memories that combine
and give her that perky smile
over a cup of coffee.

It's early.

Sipping steamy, strong espresso
while sitting silently
with a storm in her head.

She is waking.

She' s fast
to face the future,
looking forward,
and while the taste of creamy froth lingers,
she has secrets to forget.

It's just a small cup
and it was not a huge pain,
but a multitude of betrayals
that burned her heart,
and now coffee burns her tongue.

She's awake.

Her cup is empty,
but she knows she's a strong girl;
she was initiated
to loss and
to the pleasures of espresso
at the age of thirteen.