Syrup-sweet,
Three spoons of sugar, heaped,
Activating a feel good buzz,
Adrenaline kick
In every, saccharine sip

Until my cup’s empty, mood’s shot,
And I crave yet another spot
Of instantly gratifying,
‘Joy’ inducing,
Pain diffusing,
Cloying coffee!

It’s only when I kick my addiction
To superficial, mood-lifting, sweetness,
That I slowly discover
Flavours deeper, intense, real

Like the full-bodied taste of coffee itself,
With all its pungent bitterness, textured richness,
Strength of flavour and fragrance

I begin to appreciate
That between distraction and essence,
Life’s pith and embellishments,
There’s a world of difference!

So when I face bitter truths and struggles
To fulfil a lofty purpose,
Shift my focus from frothy, fleeting diversions,
To seek selfless love, divine perfection,

I drink from an eternal elixir,
Deeper and purer,
Gratifying,
Reviving
Clarifying,
Like no other

Fatema Valji | @fatemavaljipoetry
From Who am I? A Collection of Reflective Poems
Published by Sun Behind the Cloud Publications