You can’t go to the mall without Starbucks
3pm. Coffee is the only thing
calling my name.
I hurry through the young crowds
at the lakeview square mall.
Past the teen girls shopping,
by the book store.
Yelling frappes and smoothies
at a sensation thirsty crowd,
to the Barnes and Noble Starbucks.

It is crowded.
The lines filled with teens and book readers,
As I wait in the coffee filled air.
All around me people are reading -
the slurp of conversation,
the flip of a page.
The tan flesh pressing out of
high waisted shorts and crop tops.

When I finally reach the cash register,
the aroma sweet as pie.
It smells of fruit,
it smells exquisite.
Suddenly I understand starvation.

As I reach for the cup,
it’s frosty surface bites my hand.
With my name on it for take-out,
I think how great it must be,
to work at Starbucks.
How easy it is
to be satisfied.

We leave together,
it’s icy surface close at my side.
I walk back...
through the young crowds,
making plans for the weekend.
The couples huddled together outside in the
cold, blowing wind.
People eating up the fanatic.
Saying frappe, mocha, cappuccino.
Craving the wonder,
of Starbucks coffee.