In the Middle of Winter.

Life is an empty mug, hollow and cold. Then

With sudden warmth

Pour in a boiling stream of coffee.

The glass is reluctant at first

But gradually begins to heat up,

And the shivering fingers that grip the handle

Are thawed. In February days

When everything is white--

            Lips are white

            Snow is white

            Light is white

            Sky is white

--Find a change in the rich drink, like

Chestnut liquid gold. Tenderly a plume of

Kisses, steam that wafts over your trembling skin

And curls your hair. Remember then

That to winter there is more

Than just being cold.

Clutch at the mug, insulate the fleeting

Heat, keep refilling your life

With scalding coffee, to chase

Those harsh winter days away. 

Author's Note

I am so cold, here in this brutal February day. Enjoy. :)

Reviews

[R Smith]

my favourite thing at this time, that hot, hot coffee, my first early morning wish, get the coffee on, you wrote a bundle of joy here Falling Leaf and i'm ready to dive right in and taste the coffee, thank you :)

[Jerome F Knox III pseud..]

I like the presentation of this. The metaphor using the empty mug was masterfully done....you worked the theme all the way through to a perfect ending.

[dan]

Chasing these harsh winter days away sounds like a plan to me. However, here in Indiana, PA (about 50 miles northeast of Pittsburgh), that plan is null and void. Temp right now? About -3, snowing lightly but with wind chill of -13. Can you pour some of that coffee through your computer to me? I think it'll go right in your CD drive. If that doesn't work I'll just read this little piece again because the first time made me feel warmer. I'm also smoking a cigar to get warm. I forgot to light it but I'm drawing on it so hard it's actually getting smaller. Thanks for the warm-up, FL. take care...dan

[Valentine]

Brr, here below 0 and windy. A cup of coffee, or cocoa, or even boullion tastes great when all is cold in your world. More tan half of the country needs to get a hot cup of warmness. Valentine