Every day, I think of you. 
When I wake up, I yearn for your caffeinated caress. 
You are the chestnut-colored kryptonite of my dreams. 
I can’t depart from your taste, 
neither salty nor sour. 
You argue with adversaries, but to me,  
your acrid 
drip  
is one like none other. 
You are the fine wine of stone fruits, 
like the best pinot noir. 
You are a smooth sailing cruise to Bali, 
and even through turbulent bowel movements,  
you are not my first, last, or my only. 
I love you and 
all of your flavors, shapes, and sizes. 
A morning with your macchiato, 
is a steamy milk stain I will never forget. 
A light dove topping hiding your blades, 
the sharpness of your enslaving espresso.  
You’re the crème de la crème.  
Your saccharine notes sing gospel 
in your Frappuccino. 
You are my silky-smooth savior 
When the world has got me down. 
And instead of “Crying in the Chapel,”  
I take my troubles to your sugary temple. 
You’ve got me whipped 
and up all night long 
with your wickedly charming 
tang.  ​

Michelle Duong is a sophomore majoring in Psychology and minoring in Public Health graduating Spring 2022. Her goals are going to graduate school for Clinical Psychology to get her doctorate degree and having her own cow (or cows). Michelle wants to thank Professor Valerie Vogrin and her best friend Matthew Jacquot for their continued support and encouragement of her creativity and writing.