Charles Gregory, Author

A chance encounter as I drove
Along the steep hillside road.
A café stood at the top—
An odd location, I whispered in thought.

A venerable building, finely kept,
A place out of time, through change it slept.
I meant to pass, to just drive by,
But drowsiness weighed upon my eyes.

I pulled aside and said, “why not?”
Longing for a freshly brewed pot.
So I parked and wandered inside,
Curiosity called, my quiet guide.

Purpose and love adorned the décor,
Relics that whispered of those before.
A soothing aroma filled the air—
Sweet roasted earthiness lingered there.

Seated there were friends I’d never known,
Faces familiar, like seeds once sown.
We spoke in turns, yet each phrase aligned,
Like finishing thoughts left long behind.

I ordered my coffee with honey and cream,
A simple delight, rich and serene.
The nectar ran warm, its zest now tamed,
Each sip a soft blessing, gently proclaimed.

I lingered awhile, content to stay,
Letting the weight of the world fall away.
In that café perched above the climb,
I tasted a peace that stilled my mind.

Though hours paused within these walls,
Beyond the door, the burden calls.
I leave, yet carry a silent prayer,
To soon return to this sacred lair.