The Ecstasy of Coffee

What can I say, I love the stuff and am searching for the perfect bean - so let me know yours!

It started out rocky I didn’t like the taste

Could only take coffee with shovel loads of sugar

Watched weirdoes with coffee fetishes

Who would put a teaspoon of coffee

In a cup along with a splash of milk

And beat it for five minutes like whirling dervishes

Until smooth like brown treacle

Then satisfied, adding the water hot and steamy

They sighed content with the world within the brown sludge

Or the sniffers, those who pour whole beans

Into grinders and stand in ecstasy

As pulverised beans release their heady aroma.

Ah, the anticipation

The coffee ceremony begins and their hands shake a little

Even as they reach for the container of brown gold beans.

But now I search for the right bean

I’m ashamed to say

I store them carefully in a special container

I’ve bought a grinder

And yes my hand has begun to shake in anticipation of my coffee fix.

More elaborate than any Chinese tea ceremony and much more important.