Mi Cafecito Preferido

I am in love with the sound that la greca makes,

when she’s ready for me.

Gurgling over high heat,

Taste buds living in anticipation.

First thing in the morning

When I pack Gregorio Bustelo’s grinds inside of her aluminum soul.

Inserted into 8 oz of water, because all the best things must be watered to grow and fill cups.

Housing an elixir so robust,

so dark,

A hot and soothing kick that awakens this spirit.

The same way that it did for papa,

My grandfather.

We’ve crossed paths a few times,

None that I can remember, just too young.

Still, he calls me to the altar a few times a week.

Where I pour him, the dark roast cradled in a demitasse made by Armenian hands,

imported.

yeah, I know.

So typical.

A brown skinned Latina dressed in dripping wet curls

steps foot on white marble tiles at the rise of the sun.

An entire origami of a day yet to be unfolded.

Just to cut open a yellow foiled,

Vacuum sealed brick.

Slowly inhaling the pungence of ground Cuban style beans that mi gente have grown to love.

Established in 1928, 

Harlem, New York.

The vintage woman on the package 

sips out of her tiny espresso cup,

without judgement.

Ready to get a fix, so rich.

Flavors,

A mix of sharp dark chocolates,

Rich earthiness,

Hints of toasted nuts…

Okay, so maybe she’s judging you just a little bit,

Questioning your choice to purchase those capitalistic beans with a

mermaid in the green circle and those two tails?

Café sin sabor, coffee with no flava.

running on dunkin’ has never inspired me to jog anywhere.

what about that bulky red and plastic tub? 

apparently, Americans think the best part of waking up…

is having watered down diner coffee in your cup.

And yeah, I mean you can’t just cop a cup of Bustelo from a popular, fast ass franchise.

that’s also the point…

there’s an air of particularity in this pack,

for our Latinx community, this is regarded as a snack.

alongside warm toasted Portuguese rolls 

or Goya’s premium soda crackers, both slathered in butter. 

Bustelo, you aren’t the only one or even the absolute best, 

However, you are my preferred method of waking up,

My ancestors’ dearest liquid form of veneration.

You are not for the weak, mi cafecito preferido.