This morning, rushed for time
I drank my coffee black

In the dawns of youthful ignorance
I drank it black to scald sweet morning dew

As time trudged on and the days dusked
I warmed milk, frothed and golden

Attempting to conjure the sun
Not exactly light, but lighter still

Today, late for morning prayer
I drank my coffee black

The bitterness I remembered
Faint onyx buried under the sweetness of the bean

Swirling, rich caramel with only a hint of burn
Wind filtering through the chatter of crackling leaves

I wasn’t ready to learn the lesson
Until today.