Farm to Cup

Walking The Farm

I make an early rise to check on the trees, inherited from father four years ago.
The rains were heavy early in the year, a good sign.
The last trees father chose should be ready for their first harvest.
His influence still covers the hillside, encouraging and intimidating me.
The workers will be arriving soon, ready to pick the bright red fruit.
Many of them knew father, mourned with us.
I wonder if they have confidence in my abilities or worry as much about the future as I do.
Then comes a few weeks of stirring, rotating, and hoping for strong sun,
until the batches are the perfect parchment.
Father had a knack for knowing when it was time.
He'd get out of bed one morning and announce,
"Ready the hulling machines."
As a child, I loved to help with the manual sorting.
I think father liked giving me a small task near so many adults,
even if my work needed checking over.
Now, my favorite part is the sisal bags stacked up and ready to go.
It feels like an end to the hard part,
but in some ways the planning between seasons is the most difficult.
That's when I wish I could still ask for father's advice.


Cupper

Nose, roast, crack, rest.
Nose, slurp, repeat.
100 tastes a day
To find the perfect blend.
Every seed has a story
Of rainfall, sun, and wind.
The attitude and altitude
Of the farmer and the land
Influence the flavors
Of the beans in my hands.
Floral, chocolate, toasty,
Tangy, acidic, sweet.


Conversation of Questions
Heya!
How are you doing?
What can I get ya?
Big or small?
Extra shot?
Room for cream?
Anything else?
Here or to go?
Do you have a punch card?
Need a reciept?
Thanks!


Cup of Clouds

Swirling clouds of cream push to the bottom,
Half settling and half mixing,
A visual for the science behind density and solutions.

Rippled edges like afternoon tide pools.
Little peaks of color fighting to find equilibrium
Between layers of mahogany, burlap, and fresh cut pine.

Take a sip or give it a spin
To see more blending, more gradations.
Until it's all one,
Or all gone.


There are a steps left out, but four poems felt like enough for a series.

Palate

Two striped shirts walk into the coffee house
one white and navy, one black and white and tweedy
It's so cute in here! (Their first visit)
Loud voices, bright and happy
Friendly, unpushy sales (after ordering coffee)
Like approachable cheerleaders
Saying y'all
More casual than business, but still professional
Friends and colleagues
Easy laughter and a short sing along
Swirling sugar and cream
Sharing a little brightness on a rainy day



Palate is a local coffee house that I love visiting, and they're actually a non-profit.

Overheard

He was hot... H.A.W.T.

     You're almost as tall as him.

That is not allowed,
I'm married.
I don't think we should be going to a bar.
     I tell you what,
     Go in for a practice round.
...
     No, you don't have to stop.
     That's the last thing you want to do.
Meet you on the other side.

I recorded a few lines while waiting in the airport security line, then rearranged them into a story. This is what I got.

Afternoon Rest

The tree leaned down
and said to me,
"The sun's quite bright today.
How about you sit in shade?"

The grass looked up
and said to me,
"Your feet seem quite tired.
How about you sit awhile?"

The breeze whispered
into my ear,
"It is quite hot just now.
How about I cool your face?"

Thank you, tall tree.
Thank you, soft grass.
Thank you, sweet breeze.
Same time tomorrow?

Interrogation

You know him?
   Who?
You ever see him now?
  What's going on?
Said he said he'd done something?
  He said that?
What happened?
  Was it Monday yet?
Why?
  Can I talk?
Promise?


Lines found in Crooked Letter, Crooked Letter by Tom Franklin

Is that all there is, Mommy?

Is that all there is, Mommy?
    Yes, sweetie, I'm sorry.
    Mommy can't find work.
    Try to be grateful
    we found anything
    at all.

Is that all there is to do?
    I'm afraid we have to wait
    and keep hoping
    I find something,
    anything,
    soon.

If that's all there is
let's say blessing
so we can eat.
I'm really hungry.
    Thank you, universe,
    for this. 

My friends at school 
want to know why
I don't bring lunch
anymore. I said, 
"No reason. Lay off,
stupid."

    Then let's keep eating. 
    You'll get breakfast, too, 
    from school if you take 
    these forms in. 
What about you?
    Nope.

Dancing. Let's go near
a coffee shop that has
a live band. Listen from
outside, and dance.
Can we please?
    Yes. Eat. 

    'Break out the booze and
    get drunk' my friends said
    when dancing. But, you're
    too young, and I feel too 
    old for that kind of
    party.  

'Have a ball' my teacher said
when we had a pizza party
for good attendance.
     We can have a ball
     at the coffee shop.
     Let's go.

Part of Carry On Tuesday #111
Word from Peggy Lee's 'Is that all there is?'

"Is that all there is, is that all there is
If that's all there is my friends, then let's keep dancing
Let's break out the booze and have a ball
If that's all there is"