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A Sultry Sunday Morning, With A Chance Of Clearing Later

by Heide McAlister-Bates

I sit and sip my latte (grande today),
trying to clear the fog that
one too many glasses of
ruby-red
Reserve de Tuileries
has formed in my head.

Taking a look around,
I see new artwork displayed,
(I missed the opening last night)
a makeover for my favourite
weekend haunt –
urban images
in an urban coffee house
filled with urbane souls.

It works.

Observing three “men” arguing
outside, lobbing insults
like tennis balls
before the shop opened
reminds me that we’re living
in unsettled times –
though we don’t like
to admit it,
we are race-conscious,
and divided for it,
no matter how many protestations
to the contrary are expressed
on the six o’clock news.

This does not work.

In the streets of the cities
of the countries
of the world,
people are dying
of hatred
and intolerance
of differences
while I sit and sip my latte,
aware of the need for peace,
desperate to do something
about it, but desperately
ill-equipped to change
the pattern
of the tide
of the human
condition.

07/17/2005

Author's Note: The fourth installment of the Coffee House series. Up to this point, it was merely a trilogy, according to my husband. It's a real series now, Jiminy!

Posted on 07/17/2005
Copyright © 2024 Heide McAlister-Bates

Member Comments on this Poem
Posted by Maureen Glaude on 07/17/05 at 04:36 PM

you really capture the contrasts of the situation vividly, the simple drinking of coffee on a Sunday amid the debates that are so crucial and thriving right now. Beautifully done Heidi.

Posted by Krystall Vega on 07/17/05 at 07:14 PM

I love this. Those moments in solitude when you're sitting alone enjoying something (such as a cup of coffee) are those moments you notice both the beauty and ugliness of the world. Anyway, wonderful job :)

Posted by Anita Mac on 07/22/05 at 06:16 AM

I thoroughly enjoyed this... Savored your words like a latte, even. And I'm not just saying that to be fitting. I really felt like I was taking it in, one sip at a time. And, sometimes the mere thought is enough, sometimes our actions to prevent such things only aggravate them more... but then, sometimes is far from all the time. A nice piece.

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