For The People Who Work At Peet's Coffee Shop

I wish for you a lifetime of freshly brewed coffee
Italian roast, Sumatra, Arabian Mocha Java
in a warm ceramic cup, with thick frothed 2% milk
and a sprinkle of cinnamon; if you’d like.

I wish for you that every time you walk
into a coffee shop somewhere (anywhere)
someone says, “Hey there, What do you know, Jo.
and makes you smile and feel like you matter.

You are the ones who lavishly give to your customers.
To someone like me. Just because.
You hot tickets. You eclectic bunch. You Major Dickasons behind the counter.
You blessings before my eyes.

I wish for you that when the story gets hard
all black coffee bitter, and bran muffin stale (as life can sometimes be)
you will still be known as that good old guy or gal
with that friendly face.

Everyday, twice a day I arrive.
It’s a ritual with me. The large non fat decaf, Cafe au Lait.
I really like it.
But no. I’m not there for the caffeine or the decaf
I get my jolt for the day from you.
It’s that simple.

So, I wish for you full satisfaction.
And every small generosity to come your way.
A life sweeter than the lone almond croissant left in the glass case at 3 pm.
I wish for you, everything you give to me, when you pass me that hot steaming cup.
Like, how my heart feels...
All swollen and full.

Copyright © 2014 Linda R. O’Connell