For the Love of Coffee

For the Love of Coffee

Berries from a bush some goats did eat,
A somewhat surprising but bitter treat.
The goats became lively and happy and frisky,
And soon behaved in a manner most risky.

A goatherd noticed and followed suit,
And soon to this habit he took root.
He ate the berries and to his bewilderment found,
With incredible energy he did abound.

Like some miracle cure it led to his spirited dancing,
And caused him much nocturnal prancing.
It banished his gloom and overall sadness,
And encouraged in him a general gladness.

Monks soon heard about this amazing discovery,
Which gave man and beast such an unusual recovery.
From the land of Ethiopia where humble goatherds dwelt,
Its presence soon all over the world was felt.

Taken by camel to Arabia’s burning sands,
Taken on foot and Dhow to verdant distant lands.
From coffee’s great find in its African birthplace,
To palaces and salons its hot liquid to grace.

Once called Arabia’s drink so fine,
Enjoyed by Muslims as a substitute for wine.
The Wine of Araby by a Sultan named,
Its usage for everything became much acclaimed.

It landed up in Turkey to eventually be roasted,
With this elixir to everyone’s health they toasted.
On an open fire the beans they cooked,
At each other with anticipation they looked.

To a fine powder the beans were ground,
By adding boiling water they soon found.
They had created a potent new beverage,
Which when consumed gave you great vision and leverage.

They boiled the berries and made a strong brew,
They even put them into a hearty stew.
Tired limbs and bodies to transform,
And enable them all night to perform.
In Arabia a marriage contract clearly stated,
A wife coffee could drink till she was sated.
If a husband did not allow his wife as much coffee as she wanted,
For his failure to comply a divorce was granted.

A wise mullah was hired to discuss poetry, history and law, this was his job,
By the Persian Shah he was appointed to drink coffee and entertain the mob.
Called by imams and priests the source of all evil,
Called by the Emperor Napoleon black as the devil.

It helped his huge army in their march,
Their lips to wet and not to parch.
Men made speeches and told satirical stories,
Recounted the past and ancient glories.

Entrepreneur’s quick to spot a trend,
Introduced many a tasty and powerful blend.
In time a variety of styles they did rend,
It’s grateful drinkers into rhapsody send.

Served in cafés where friends could meet,
Offered in cups with sugar for a treat.
Premises impressively were furnished,
With chandeliers and the warm glow of wood they were burnished.

Men spent great lengths of time in coffee houses,
To escape from the chores of home and nagging spouses.
To each other they gave great secrets to keep,
But once back at home, alas! they could not sleep!

Frequented by teacher, trader and idle gossipmonger,
Carpenter, butcher and humble fishmonger.
People of like mind,
Came to companionship find.

A meeting place for lost and lonely souls,
A welcome place to discuss life’s goals.
Some came to sit all alone,
Others for their sins and thoughts to atone.

Artists and writers working in isolation,
Sought coffee for comfort and consolation.
It added a certain briskness to their walk,
And a liveliness to their talk.


Coffee had a great impact on society, culture and the economy,
On the arts, literature, politics and gastronomy.
It stimulated conversation and increased communication,
It rejuvenated tired minds and provided inspiration.

People by its powerful aroma were lured,
Many a hangover by its black liquid cured.
Athletes convinced it could make them run quick,
Doctors claimed it could cure the sick

The most vital berry the world has ever seen,
Fortunes were made with this precious brown bean.
Poets, philosophers and kings its virtues did praise,
Some lawyers speculated the dead it could raise?

Well made, strong and hot,
To quench the lips of a thirsty lot.
Textile merchants, horse dealers and pickpockets,
Students young with sunken eye sockets.

Our olfactory senses to delight,
Our minds to free in fanciful flight.
On my grandmother’s saucer with goodness it flowed,
On her lap, the warmth of her face with love glowed.

Man has now invented a contraption, a machine,
To extract the essence of the worldly bean.
Serve it with a simple, lightish froth,
Or topped with cream for a bountiful broth.

Grind it, pour it and let it percolate,
Sprinkle with cinnamon or sensuous chocolate.
Mocha, Cuban or Arabian,
Brazilian, Kenyan, or Colombian.

In coffee we see a wonderful revival,
To ensure its longevity and ultimate survival.
Because we all to this idea are wed,
To see to its success and ubiquitous spread.

And now it serves a delightful clientele,
Good men and women who know its spell so well.
Coffee houses therefore will continue to proliferate,
Places to pause, to sip and to pontificate.



And if perchance you should grow weary of this tale,
Your memory fades and begins to fail,
Brew a fresh cup, not one that is stale.
And when your concentration begins to flag,
Lift the cup to your lips and have a heavenly drag.



Costa Ayiotis
June 2003