Black Coffee

Published in Stink Eye Magazine 2024

Today I take my

Coffee black and drop in

Two ice cubes. The milk

Expired and the funds are

Too low to buy more.

It’s good for me though. Sometimes

The palate needs a cleanse. As does

The liver and kidneys and heart

And bowels.

I haven’t quite gotten used

To being comfortable with

Being uncomfortable. I’m getting there.

But like all things, it

Takes time, which will

Eventually expire.

Until the clock stops

Ticking I’ll just keep drinking

My coffee black, hoping I can scrounge 

Up a couple of bucks to buy

More milk. Maybe even a carton

Of eggs. And if I’m lucky, some bacon.