
“I allow myself
the luxury of breakfast
(I am no nun, for Christ’s sake).
Charmed as I am
by the sputter of bacon,
and the eye-opening properties
of eggs,
it’s the coffee
that’s really sacramental.
In the old days,
I spread fires and floods and pestilence
on my toast.
Nowadays, I’m more selective,
I only read my horoscope
by the quiet glow of the marmalade.”
– Dorothea Grossman, “I Allow Myself”
Credits:
- Photographs: foodffs. (I feast on Marmalade…this poem and these photographs.)
- Poem: Thank you Christiansanantonio.
- Bio for Dorothea Grossman. Grossman’s Selected Poems at Amazon.

“It’s the coffee that’s really sacramental.” Indeed…..brewing a cup of the sacred beans now… 🙂
And for me, it’s the marmalade that’s sacramental. 🙂
WLS – from the smell as it brews to the first sip sliding down my throat..coffee – nectar from the gods. And marmalade is pretty damn good too.
🙂 Yes. Where’s Beth this morning? Have you read her last post on coffee? http://ididnthavemyglasseson.com/2013/12/21/a-little-something-to-warm-you-on-this-dark-and-stormy-solstice-day/
I did!! Maybe she’s having her coffee and doing something like reading the paper? Can’t imagine how she could… 😉
Makes me want to go and buy some, right now!
I have jars in the pantry. Can’t go without my marmalade. And yes Robert, the pictures are lip smackin’.
If you put them on Amazon, let me know. I am buying.
ps: one jar at a time
Laughing.
yes, mimi and david, the sacramental coffee line called out to me, i guessed you would not be surprised, and i so understand that. and i also love the slow, warm glow of the marmalade approach to life.
Hmmmm. Not sure I would describe heated, reheated, microwaved, re-done coffee as “sacramental.” Something, but not sacramental.
ode to dk and coffee on this fine day-
let us not
be so quick to judge
for what’s one person’s sacrament
is another’s sludge
That is good. The poem (not the consumption of the sludge). Loved it!
Making coffee is a morning ritual, though the ritual has become much shorter. I used to grind the beans; now we use pre-ground coffee. I drink it with a little cream. I love the smell, the taste, the feel as it warms my throat and clears my head. Toast with marmalade and coffee is a perfect combo; crunchy, sweet and tart all meddling into one, washed down with fresh, strong coffee. Yum!
P.s., I enjoyed ksbeth’s post.
I’m not a coffee drinker. But fanatical on the marmalade thing. The images almost made me come through the screen…
Wonderful, in so many ways. Thank you, David.
Thanks Ann
Good Grief. Nuns do have fun. Coffee with that please. Tank ya.
Smiling.
“I only read my horoscope
by the quiet glow of the marmalade”
I like that – something about that wants to make me laugh!! 😀
Now I’m laughing and don’t know why.
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