The Coffee House...

The locals hammer out the issues and

grumble about the price of gas while

in the corner near the window a young

college student grabs a paper and adroitly

attaches ear buds turning the dial on an

iPod that contains a thousand songs

his fingers tapping on the table to the beat

of the tune in his head - unheard by the

rest of us gathered there, happily.

Another patron grabs her ringing

cell phone and proceeds to let us all

know, unbidden, what her myriad plans

are for the rest of this cold, gray day.

A pretty young woman sips her espresso

and pores over the latest, quaint and curious

volume of soon-to-be forgotten lore...

the latest tome on Oprah's book list.

At least she's reading, right? I sigh.

I feel the cold swoosh of air as a shopper,

laden with bags, rushes in for a brew

and to warm herself by the fire on this

first "blustery day" of Autumn as the wind

spins brown dry leaves around in circular,

frenzied patterns near the door

"Next" says the barista and I order a bagel

and latte digging in my purse for change to tip

the calm attendent who's bravely attempting to

keep us all happy and smiling cheerfully

at those who, for whatever reason, are not.

A melody comes to my mind and I think of

God and smile, humming softly to myself.

I turn quickly when I hear God's name

only to find it came from the lips of an

annoyed, albeit a rather "well-dressed soul"

whose little son has displaced the brown

warm liquid that's now running down a

tie of expensive silk and has dotted the

white shirt like a "Jackson Pollock" in mocha.

I wait for my order and utter a silent

prayer for this harried man and for those

not that interested in God this morning.

The God who's there across the street

in the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar

Unseen- but really present.

Unloved- but always loving.

The God who's waiting to give the daddy in

his stained shirt and tie the peace he craves,

the faith he needs and the love to warm a

heart that's grown cold, maybe even as cold as

the wind on this brisk, gray Autumn day.

susie melkus
10-03-09