... a second-person narrative...
You methodically gripped your Moka pot from the stovetop at the onset of the gurgling sound. Holding your favourite blue dotted espresso cup, you strutted barefoot across your back garden to a secluded spot, where you sat quietly facing the 05:00 PM Sun.
Focused and present at the moment, you inhaled the pleasant aroma of your Jamaican Blue Mountain coffee, which emitted from the spout of the Moka pot.
With your senses activated, you listened to the rhythms of chirping birds, which sounded like a happy conversation that you wished you understood.
You gently placed your coffee cup on the ground, and carefully filled your cup to avoid soiling your dress - a souvenir you purchased in 2005, at a souk in Marrakesh, where you spent 10 days of holiday in Morocco. You were pleased that you got to wear the dress for the first time, 17 years later.
At the busy souk, you approached a man at one of the clothing stalls seeking a traditional Moroccan dress. The vendor observed you, and he presented you with a navy blue dress with gold trimmings. Perusing the dress, you enquired from the vendor if he by chance had another of the same dress with neater stitching. The vendor replied: "It's not Cartier or Gucci! It's made by hand. Don't expect perfection."
You smiled and bowed to show your agreement (and apology), and you asked the vendor to explain just how the traditional dress should be adorned. The vendor proceeded with a yellow headscarf, which he said complemented the dress nicely. The kind vendor demonstrated to you exactly how the traditional dress should be worn; something that was not obvious to an unfamiliar foreigner.
From that day forward, you realised that perfection could be a hindrance which could result in lost opportunities.
You tried to apply that principle to different aspects of your life. Even though, doing things right the first time, with no space for errors, was what your life demanded at that time. You held on to the brilliant idea and slowly tried to let go of striving for perfection.
Sipping your coffee which was known to be of a smooth texture, you smiled as it touched your lips. It must have been a clean, light but rich, sweet flavour; you appeared delighted. Your body eased further into relaxation, as you reflected on how tense you were in the past... Not by nature, but by your societal influences.
While living in the Netherlands in 2007, on a lovely spring day you cycled through the town on the prominent street in Leiden called the Breestraat. Aimlessly, you were people-watching and eye-shopping, when a strange sudden feeling came over you, and you froze.
Not recognising yourself, you pulled over and disembarked your bike. A sad reality hit you that it was the first time in your life that you had let your guard down. You were relaxed; Without fear or looking over your shoulders. That was a new beautiful experience that made you aware that you were living in survival mode and had become somewhat hardened.
You became self-aware and took moments to self-reflect on your emotions, your actions, and your feelings. You were determined to take better care and become responsible and not let your environment change you no matter what fears or circumstances you should face.
You discovered the need to disconnect from the negatives around you and you pledged to yourself to find a balance in protecting and standing up for yourself but never letting society harden you.
You'd set your camera on a timer while stretching and enjoying coffee, and through your peripheral vision, you saw that neighbours were watching from a distance. You laughed at yourself and nearly spilt your cup, but you continued to do your own thing in your world.
You were always in your little world, doing what made you happy.
You had an identity.
You were yourself!
Like the time on the seafront in Moalboal, Philippines in the year 2019. You went for a stroll at sunset...
You have always found sunsets magical.
You were homesick.
You looked out at the sea longing to be in Jamaica.
You were filled with mixed emotions.
You felt small. Like a tiny dot in a vast universe.
Thoughts of your childhood made you blissful.
You longed for your backyard.
You missed your mum and dad.
You felt terrible knowing that your parents were yearning to see you.
You forced yourself to be optimistic.
You hoped for the best.
You were just around the corner from the gate to your home, when a fishing vessel came to shore.
It was a red sunset evening, and you had your hair in a big afro. Bewildered, by what must have been a strange silhouette, the fishermen squinted their eyes in an attempt to see clearly.
Jamaica they exclaimed.
Your heart smiled.
You waved at the fishermen.
2022; You have finally made it back to your happy place. You sat behind the fence close to the river where as a child you sat on the banks alone; vulnerable, but safe.
You are so happy that you could kiss the soil.
You are full of energy, focus, and determination, as you always are after enjoying your coffee.
Wherever life takes you, you will always have a deep connection with your backyard. No matter how many times you fall, you'll always stand tall.
Whenever you're home, you'll continue to fuel your energy, inner strength, and gentle fierceness, by drinking your favourite Jamaican Blue Mountain Coffee, the drink of gods and goddesses.
Your true love. 💟
The Coffee Goddess