Thanks a Latte by Lori Laitman and Caitlin Vincent

Laura Strickling, soprano
Daniel Schlosberg, piano
Sunday, February 2, 2025
DeBartolo Center for the Performing Arts
Recorded at the University of Notre Dame’s O'Neill Hall of Music
TEXT
Thanks a Latte
By Caitlin Vincent
Today’s the day.
Today I’m taking a stand.
Making an impression.
Changing my coffee order!
Every day, it’s the same.
My standard. Regular. Habit.
Every day at the hipster café.
Every day with the cute barista.
For three whole seconds,
I have his complete attention.
(Not to mention, his dreamy smile.)
But every day, I waste it on routine.
You aren’t what you eat, but what you order.
And I’m predictable.
Forgettable.
But not today.
Today, I’ll be spontaneous.
Complex.
Today, he’ll wonder what I do,
who I am, where I’m going.
Today, I’ll order…a macchiato.
Edgy and stylish and chic.
Or maybe a cappuccino.
Funny and frothy and fun.
A flat white to show I travel.
A long black to show I’m tall.
I just need the perfect blend
to best espresso myself.
Would a filter be too hipster?
A triple shot too high strung?
What’s the message in non-fat or skinny?
No foam? Extra whip? Light ice?
My keep cup is full of potential.
For a drink that’s quintessentially me.
This is the moment.
I’m next in line.
Ready with my order.
And there he is in a beanie.
Brewing and foaming and grinding.
Never minding my racing heart.
He turns to me with a smile.
Turns to me and says…
“The usual?”