the rain falls

everything it touches. every twig
of every branch of every tree is
encapsulated in ice. icicles hang in
perfect symmetry from every patio
umbrella and table. a glaze of
ice coats every brick surface.
the world is white and delicate.

i walk in with bags of coffee and ask the
girl if she been outside today.
she says no it looks too cold out there.
i tell her to come outside
with a mug of coffee and i’ll
show her that coffee isn’t
just about taste, it’s about feeling
emotions —
there is an ice palace
outside
if you pair an ice palace
with a sip of rwandan coffee
you will feel
magic.

she looks at me like i’m kidding.
so that’s how we play it and
it’s off to the next delivery.