One could drown in that bottomless, inky liquid, that heartache-laden brew”
-- Speaker (Stanza 1. Line 2.)

Importance: This line is left intentionally ambiguous; it may refer to coffee, the song being played, or the feelings the song evokes. The choice of adjectives emphasizes the parallels between coffee and the “bluesy” feelings examined throughout the poem. The balance of literal and figurative interpretations creates depth and layers in the narrative.

Heartbeat racing, fingers embracing some worn out pillow
-- Speaker (Stanza 2. Line 2.)

Importance: This image opens with the “racing” heartbeat associated with caffeine as well as excitement and fear. The double meaning once again heightens the parallel between coffee and heartache. There is also an internal rhyme in “racing” and “embracing” which creates musicality.

black coffee, resting alone and cold near the window like the last passenger at the back of the midnight bus.
-- Speaker (Stanza 3. Line 4)

Importance: One of the poem’s strongest lines, this moment uses simile to create a vibrant image in the...