An Ode to Coffee: My Tenure-Track Lifeline

Oh, coffee, my beloved, my muse,

Through deadlines and meetings, you never refuse.

A gentle sip in the morning’s first light,

You fuel my brain, and my spirit takes flight.

From the first drop to the last bitter sip,

You steady my hand, my productivity trip.

When projects are endless and emails flood in,

You whisper, “We’ve got this,” and so I begin.

When the reviews are brutal, tearing me apart,

You’re there to soothe my overworked heart.

“Major revisions,” they say with no shame,

But with you, dear coffee, I’m back in the game.

In certain meetings, long and dull,

Your caffeine powers keep me full.

While others yawn and rub their eyes,

I nod along, caffeinated and wise.

For every lecture, every class,

You ensure that I do not crash.

The students think I’m on a roll—

But it’s you, dear coffee, who makes me whole.

Let’s not forget the late-night grind,

When papers pile up and sleep I can’t find.

You stand by my side, a true loyal friend,

Pushing me onward, right to the end.

Without you, coffee, I’d never survive,

On this tenure track, how would I thrive?

You are the real MVP, the boost to my soul,

With every sip, you make me feel whole.

So, here’s to you, coffee, in every form you take,

Espresso, drip, latte—whatever it takes!