Ode to Coffee
This Summer I participated in the Iowa Summer Writing Festival at the University of Iowa in Iowa City. I wrote this poem as a homework assignment. I am not a poet and always thought that poems had to rhyme. I learned that modern day poems don’t. This is the first poem I have written since sixth grade.
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The Iowa River flows by.
It has gained some water from the storms last night
There is a wind today, which feels cool upon my face
There are a variety of trees. Maple and a few Pines
The trees have much bigger leaves and a lot fuller than the ones in Phoenix
Green places indicate cold and snow in the winter months
It is becoming cloudy
The day is dreary
Condensation has accumulated on the windows in my room
Can’t wipe the windows
The condensation is outside
Can’t see the river
Makes me sad
Off to the coffee shop
The humidity is beginning to set in
Sweat forms on the top of my head
Trickles down my face and neck
The air blows but not frequently
Mostly cloudy with a chance of sunshine
The sky is white, grey
Not blue as it is in Phoenix
A slight cool breeze sweeps across my face
Maybe it will get cooler
Drink more coffee
The windows begin to shake
The thunder cracks
Lighting flashes but not visible in the day
Tornado Siren sounds
Warning on cell phone
“Take cover immediately. Tornado spotted nearby”
What do I do?
Go to the basement!
Hide in the bathtub?
Drink more coffee
Rain, thunder, lighting, repeat
The rain beats against the windows
The sun hides behind the clouds
The clouds have passed
The sun is visible
Beautiful sunset is possible
Bright orange and yellow colors glow in the sky
A storm turns into a good ending
Rivers and lakes fill with water
Trees grow taller
Flowers bloom everywhere
Farmers grow crops
People have food
Time for coffee.
Carol Kubota
