Coffee Frother
My upper lip is hugged by sea foam,
frothed by fluff-capped coffee sipped from today’s cup
and I think of Christopher who recently gifted
me this magic Nespresso machine that whips
2% milk into ocean waves of cream
that my tongue licks. A new ritual, this lace
moustaching the beach of my face.
This morning he will arrive to drive
me to another doctor appointment, be by my side.
Tall, calm prompt man, who holds my hand,
kisses my lips, says, “It’ll be alright.”
I click my tongue, then sigh. A new ritual,
to be held by one as reliable as the tide.
Breathe. Let go of fear, lean in.
You’re not alone. Smile at clouds
of foam. Love. New daily rituals.
*
The gut is an aquarium of odd sea creatures
Gauze walls hang between
ER cubicles. Surprise!
You have won a weekend
dancing with machines;
tethered by cords, beeps, drips;
twirls to the toilet.
Orange Jell-O, orange Jell-O,
orange Jell-O, Ginger Ale,
salty brown veg broth.
Blood pressure cuffs
poof and deflate. Needled
clear tube sunk in vein,
duct taped. Wheelchair,
gurney. Short tempered
nurses, some saints.
Big storm blows in.
Christopher leaves you his sweater,
runs to find car in wind.
*
Susan Vespoli is a poet from Phoenix, AZ who needs to write to stay sane. Her poems have appeared in ONE ART, Anti-Heroin Chic, New Verse News, Rattle, Gyroscope Review, and other cool spots. She teaches Wild Writing inspired classes on writers.com and 27powers.org and is the author of four poetry collections. Susan Vespoli – Author, Poet
I love all of Susan’s work, these two are splendid.
Wonderful 🌹
Love the imagery and voice in these. Excellent poems!
Love. Oh, how I identify with the poem and, “the write to stay sane.”
Beautiful.
Powerful, simple, deep.
Susan, I am DEEPLY afeected by your two poems, as love poems, as poems chronicalling your current health management, and as art!
I am amazed by the light tone, at times so funny, versus the dark undertone of cancer. These are brilliant and make a poet’s heart laugh and weep.