there’s a welcome in the blue awning and a whisper in the coffee, says sweetness
everything about the morning cries out in delicate joy, hunger for sweetness
ushered in with the crisp of Chicago air coats lift and warm bodies settle into
warmth, ready to order? hoops glint against dark coils, her name is sweetness
lengthy list of breakfast items sent off with the turn of her heel against hickory
wood, what’s left is oval dish of salt, pepper, sugar syrup sticky with sweetness
comfortable conversation to fill the days I missed. then: greedy hands reach for
mugs, caffeine, plates arriving by the second, our version of temporary sweetness
tomorrows later only soft happiness will be fossilized in memory reminiscent of pancakes: melting sour cream glazing crisp latkes, salty apple compote. sweetness.
but now only the swell of full bellies can be felt. scent of breakfast lingers in the
cotton fabric, I smile, Hannah opens a door, wind rushes us out, rushing sweetness.
Erin Chen is a high school senior currently studying abroad in Singapore. Originally from New York City but having also lived in Hong Kong, Erin most enjoys writing of the mundane and somewhat magical moments in her life from the many locations she’s encountered. Aside from writing poetry, you can find Erin reading a good fantasy novel or whisking up a cup of matcha.