A gift my former husband

left behind –

             though I truthfully paid plenty

            for this gift in pain and cash  –

quite fancy coffeemaker

with ultra no-mess feature

hot brewing instantly

any quantity of

personally-portioned cups –

the hippest way there is to

offer choice of beverage to your guests.

My guest desires “Negro juice,” he calls it.

I oblige,

offer darkest brew I have  –

“Magique de Minuit (Midnight Magic)”  –

in silver Guadalupe Street

Coffee mug.  Intense,

stays hot the couple hours we’re

engaged in

– only –

speaking, listening,

professionally recording.

“United states of music,” my lyrics in the can,

he leaves, but leaves behind

a half cup of still steamy strong

black liquid.

So inviting, take a sip

impressed on sweetness of imagined spot

his big lips also locked.

Still too hot, I have solution:

frozen yogurt I can add,

plain, pairs beautifully,

Vanilla.

Sip some, gulp more

physical embodiment of

 “commonwealth of cold and heat”

my poet line we cast

acoustically afloat.

Left a little of this lightened

brew behind to work its

magic in the kitchen overnight,

– only –

in my dreams.

copyright 2010 Catherine A. Lee