This morning after my breakfast pack was delivered to my door in the quarantine facility, I decided to make a cup of coffee to complete the breakfast scenario. I opened a sachet of instant coffee and I poured the hot water over the granules in the white v-shaped porcelain mug and I left it there. Little did I know that it was in fact a good brand of coffee when I lifted the cup to my lips. I put the two slices of toast in the toaster and arranged my food. I fetched the mug with black coffee that stood near the kettle and brought it closer so that I could have it within reach. Later when I took a sip, I was a little surprised, because the aroma and the taste surpassed my expectations and it comforted me in my isolation. Who would have thought that instant coffee could deliver such palatable homely moments? So, there and then I decided I would write about coffee today, because yesterday I saw a diptych from my new abstract collection entitled “Coffee” and I thought about saying something about it, but I did not have anything to say, but now I do, as you can see.
I am not a coffee connoisseur and I only started drinking coffee in my forties. I never actually understood what the fuss was all about when it came to coffee, but I seem to be a quick learner when it comes to taste, because I acquired a rather “aristocratic” outlook with regards to coffee. I do not drink much, but I cannot really stomach most instant coffees, but as you can see, the standard is rising and even instant coffee can make me smile now.
There are so many songs about coffee and even I wrote one in 2017, when I felt isolated in an Asian country. During that time of experiencing loneliness in a foreign country, I dreamed of being with my trusted friends back home in a coffee shop and I tried to consolidate a few sentiments I have about coffee and its effect on us, with the words of my Coffee Shop song. There is a lot more we can say about coffee, but I do not want to steal your coffee moments.
Coffee Shop
Is there someone trying to lift
Huge loads in a mental shift?
Take a short walk with me
We will become family
We can boast about the roast
Make the most of jam and toast
Spill the beans o’er a cup
Be as peaceful as a pup
I can hear the “bub-be-ling”
As the coffee pots would sing
When the door bells ring
In that happy
Aromatic
Camaraderie
Describe your dreadful day
Name the bad straight away
If you’re diet’s not at stake
Have another piece of cake
When our private lives are fine
All that washing on the line
And the burdens off the brain
We will take another train
I can hear the “bub-be-ling”
As the coffee pots would sing
When the door bells ring
In that happy
Aromatic
Camaraderie
We will fully comprehend
Bravely make all trouble end
As we choose another blend
We will help another friend
Then we will turn to politics
Fix the world with easy tricks
‘Cause we’re high on caffeine
Say exactly what we mean
I can hear the “bub-be-ling”
As the coffee pots would sing
When the door bells ring
In that happy
Aromatic
Camaraderie
I trust you are not alone today, and if you are, may the smell of good coffee – if it is your cup of tea – welcome you and make you smile. Just a last thought, I think, perhaps the smell of coffee makes us feel at home wherever we are?
If you would like to hear my amateur version of the song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ox-TL2hQge4
Pragtig.