(from the title Coffee & Change)

I sometimes dreamed of days before, the heavy-eyed early morning drive.

Turning back to academia, the long hoursof winding highway,

rewarded with a seat of hard-backed vinyl,

a cheap crooked table, and coffeeshop coffee, fresh brewed.

I can still smell the rain as it ran down the windows outside, the coffee steaming

and so many bills wadded in my pocket, a brief respite sitting still.

Sleepy-warm in a student cafe alone,

and taking for granted the temporary relief of hot coffee on a chilled morning.