Arrivederci Coffee!

Coffee, you were a dear friend but in the end a toxic one too.

You are my morning drinking buddy, whether it be in my green Chinese-made BBJ mug, a thermos or a street vendor cup. You introduced me to milk, and after some heavy drinking, convinced me to lose the sticky sugar. You're bold, complex, and full of energy.

But you also give me jitters, and are not good for my heart. I became dependent on you for clarity and purpose, and I got angry when you were not at my side. I became your bitch.

Well enough is enough. The time has come to take control of my body and my energy levels. We have not been together since Sunday, and already I am feeling the effects of your absence. I am tired, irritable and lacking my already tenuous control over hormonal changes. But I will not waver; I will not despair. To cleanse the body is also to cleanse the soul, and even Jesus found power through fasting.

Coffee, I do not begrudge you for our relationship. It is your nature to latch on to people, greasing conversations with friends and providing support during late night deadlines and midterm papers. And so I say not good riddance, but arrivederci, farewell, until I am in control enough to meet you again.