Coke Addict on the Subway

by Chris Maffucci-Fitanides

​​Having crossed the buzzing gates today

I made designs to find some other way

To quench the thirst my dry throat could not bear

So clogged it was with dirty subway air

An iced coffee, a glass of water would

Without doubt treat my teeth and liver good

Aranciata rossa or agua con gas

Brought from Italy to Back Bay, so fast

But these my foolish windpipe must reject

And as it does, on every day, elect

For a blushing can, with fizzing amber filled

And it arrives, as my five quarters willed

Slides down the chute, where my coins are taken

Slightly warm, and more than slightly shaken

The crisp tab cracks beneath my eager thumb

And noting the arriving train, I run