A cup of coffee

steaming…

It’s strength measured

in bitterness,

The frothing bubbles

subvert the heat

giving the lips

a gentle warm kiss-

The heat will hit

a moment later,

almost scalding

the tongue

that has got used to tepid

liquid textures

of the gulps I take every time

swallowing much more than food…

anger, pride, expectations…

The coffee kickstarts the day,

setting the tone

for unforeseen tremors,

the mystery of events

unfolding between the cup

and the sip…

No, there is no storm brewing…

not in this tea… err.. coffee cup.

It just carries the mark of my lips

hoping for some other lips

to sip from it

from exactly the same side,

sealing the kiss

it carries… tenderly,

masked in its bitter strength.