The Conceit Of Coffee Poem by Dr Vidya Hariharan

The Conceit of Coffee

The coffee table is found in every house
It takes centre place
Coffee table books sit pretty on those tables
So superior, elegant and pretty!
Coffee cake is served in cafes
And high-flying birthday parties,
Coffee-makers are so expensive,
So exclusive, they look so high and mighty!
The coffee pod is famous throughout history
Emperors and mere Kings fought for it
In battles bitter and without mercy!
Coffee-houses are named Cafes
Such a fancy name for a cute place
Serving types of coffee and coffee cake!
In such circumstances, when all the party
Are sipping coffee in dainty cups
My lips tremble and tongue trips over itelf
When I ask for a cup of the humble tea!
Sometimes just to prove a point
I do mention in a low whisper
"the Boston Tea Party! "
I receive a cold sneer which makes me
Huddle into myself like a garden snail.
Because the riposte is that-
Half the world was conquered for coffee, not tea!
***