A SONNET WRITTEN WHILE IN THE MIDDLE OF COFFEE
Cream rises to the top, I love that quip.
Life imitates a hearty cup of jo.
I like mine sweetened when it meets my lip -
I take it warm so I don’t have to blow.
Let’s chat about the cream, the cows are proud
that they’ve produced a juice so heavenly.
They’ve earned the right to brag and moo out loud -
black coffee is just too damn rude for me.
Cream rises to the top, an upward climb
while churning everything that’s in between.
It dictates when the whole brew is sublime
and satiates me with a one-cup dream.
Cream rises to the top, I think that’s neat -
remove the bottom and it’s not so sweet.
AROUND THE HOUSE
We’re fighting in the kitchen, fighting still -
steak knives are thrown, the skin they’re breaking through!
We’re experts with our silver spoons until -
we fork each other like we always do.
We just pull feelings off the freezer’s shelf -
upon the cutting board, we gut our fish.
I use the salad shooter on myself -
I get so mad I break an heirloom dish.
Inside the blender, facts are mixed and churned.
Our fears are nuked inside the microwave.
We touch the stove in anger and get burned -
there are no Ziploc bags, what’s left to save?
And now, inside the colander we duel -
the coffee pot is on, we need more fuel.
ON TOP OF OLD SMOKEY
You swear to me that everything’s okay,
but I know you, you do not like to talk.
I know you like to hold it all at bay,
but here you sit, you will not try to walk.
When you use “but,” I know you’re not all right.
Perhaps I have upset you in some way?
You’re not too good at hiding in plain sight.
I know just when your world’s in disarray.
I ask again, “Just what could be so wrong?”
Then once again, you just refuse to spill.
We’ve been together maybe much too long.
I’ll pour some coffee ’til your cup is filled.
You swear there’s nothing wrong, but yet, you quake.
Your coffee has turned into - a milkshake.
BIO: Bryon D. Howell is a poet currently residing in New Haven, Connecticut. He has been writing poetry for a great number of years. Recently, work of his has appeared in poeticdiversity, Red River Review and The Quirk.
