Coffee House Poet (a poem)

(Written at the Coffee House)

Here is where I meet my friends, have long conversations; glances, can't remember all their names— (all the time) my coffee cup often jumps, when they come by, breaking up the moment of my concentration….

Women want to borrow chairs—often around my table; I'm a regular here—; everyday until-night, from three to almost midnight… writing, reading, drawing, it's what I do, I'm a poet.

Three's the professor, from the U of M; and Johannes, a poet and friend; and then, there is Papa Bear, he works at the Airlines, worried, ‘Northwest,' is going out of business

And then there is Gene, he likes erotica; and Kathy, she's a Faulkner fan; and Royce, a lawyer, he has no real choice; and Mathew, he's a writer of songs, and music

And then there is Janet, she's loves the word of God; and Michelle, she likes the law also; and there's Cindy W., a poet who loves ‘Plath,' and Gary and Sue, book lovers too, and me, a plain poet.

I have learned much from all my friends, at the Coffee House, at the B & N, in Roseville—and that we all love to inhale the odor of Coffee, books and conversation; I think fate has brought us here; Amen!

Dedicated to my friends at the Coffee House; #1257 3/2/06 revised 2/5/06

coffee houses little known facts that you probably didnt know about coffee houses

Besides serving food and beverages, coffee houses are great places to interact socially with other people, read, write, do homework or just pass time. Providing coffee, tea, light snacks and lunch type food they offer a great mishmash of both. Coffee houses, when you think about it, are very similar to bars and restaurants. People would go to them to drink coffee or tea, listen to music, play games like chess and backgammon and read. In fact, since the 16th century they've been prominent in the Middle East. While one would typically think that coffee houses started in Italy, but that isn't the case. Shortly thereafter, others started springing up in places like Cairo and Istanbul. In 1530, the first coffee house opened in Damascus. It wasn't until the 17th century that coffee first made an appearance in Europe. The first recorded coffee house in Italy opened shop in 1645. This was followed by the first coffee house in England, in Oxford, in 1650. After that, they spread like wildfire, hitting America in 1670 in Boston. Charles II wasn't a fan of coffee houses, and tried to discourage people in London from going to them by characterizing them as places where the disaffected met and spread scandalous reports concerning the conduct of His Majesty and his Ministers. Instead of keeping people away, people flocked to them. Coffee houses were open to people of all socioeconomic backgrounds, and became associated with equality. That said, women weren't allowed into them. Also, many churches used them for outreach purposes, gaining membership and spreading the word of God. Bob Dylan got his start running the coffee house circuit, as did the Beats. In American coffee houses in the 1960s, musicians and poets had found a home. Later on, this obviously ceased to be the case.

Besides serving food and beverages, coffee houses are great places to interact socially with other people, read, write, do homework or just pass time. Providing coffee, tea, light snacks and lunch type food they offer a great mishmash of both. Coffee houses, when you think about it, are very similar to bars and restaurants.People would go to them to drink coffee or tea, listen to music, play games like chess and backgammon and read. In fact, since the 16th century they've been prominent in the Middle East. While one would typically think that coffee houses started in Italy, but that isn't the case.Shortly thereafter, others started springing up in places like Cairo and Istanbul. In 1530, the first coffee house opened in Damascus.Also, many churches used them for outreach purposes, gaining membership and spreading the word of God. Bob Dylan got his start running the coffee house circuit, as did the Beats. In American coffee houses in the 1960s, musicians and poets had found a home. Later on, this obviously ceased to be the case.