Tag Archives: coffee shop

Austin Grind

(Poem 196 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

My grind began with driving  
my grandfather to the hospital,
then trying to find a coffee shop
where I could set up and work.
The first big chain location
was full of people like me with
their laptops open on tables,
steaming cups of coffee at
each elbow, the essential
fuel that powers commerce.
Siri found me another option,
and she did not disappoint.
Austin Grind welcomed me
with open arms, an empty
table, tea, and a tasty scone.
Later, at lunch time, a chicken
panini hit the spot to keep me
nourished, comfortable, and
working steadily on my hot-
spot until time to rescue my
grandfather from his ordeal.
Five stars, first class, top notch,
superb, blue-ribbon, stellar,
as reviewed by this remote
worker who will be sure to
revisit next time I need a safe,
inviting space with good food
and tea for the daily grind.

@Home Studio – 196th poem of the year

Runner ups for the Austin Grind photos to accompany my poem:

Coffee Cacophony

(Poem 187 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/a9RJoh

You doin’ ok?
the barista asks someone looking at the menu
You’ve got to be hot because I’m hot
my husband says to me
Unidentifiable ethnic-sounding earth music plays
over the speakers chanting comforting spells
A soprano’s laugh bubbles up above all the other sounds
I’m fine
a tenor responds to someone who asks
My husband whispers or raps or sings to himself
perhaps he is reading out loud, it could be any of the above
because he is rarely silent for long
You’ve lost one of your lenses
a woman says to the elderly man she cares for
I know, he says
does she think he is unaware that he can only half-see?
freeway
I was trying to draw you
spiral
London Fog
to be clear
I think we all know
it’s a reservoir
keep going, Dude
really hammer it home
when I’m on stage
I’m not racist or homophobic
not on purpose
there is a monster
how cute
Chai
Hello
A blender and cups being bussed are the percussive elements that were missing.
Tea-Jasmine
Someone knocks loudly on the restroom door
one-two-three-four in quick succession
and a phone whistles
it just got real

@Genuine Joe’s – 187th poem of the year

Runner ups for the coffee shop photos to accompany my poem: