strong aroma
emitting from the styrofoam cup
steam rising

waiting on the waitress
I slide my mug
to the table’s edge

Nikki Garry (2)

Maureen Yates (3)

bathed in hot water
soaked through and through
the tea bag rests against the cup

Candace Golden (3)

I just like the surprising last line. I read the first two lines and hit the pause, and I picture someone after a hard day or work or something in the tub or shower relaxing. Then there's the tea bag in the cup image. I just like it because the imagery seems contradicting and I like it that way. —Travis Meisenheimer

around the bonfire
brothers
sipping hot apple cider

Brock Peoples (3)

I really like this one because it presents the sense of warmth in two different ways. We get the sensory warmth from the bonfire an external warmth, we get the warmth of emotion of the love between brothers an internal warmth so to speak, and then we have the warmth of the cider that combines both the internal warmth (drinking it) with the external (feeling the warmth in your hands through the cup). —Maureen Yates

hot chocholate
warms her hands
first snow fall

hot chai
steam dancing
between friends

Stacy Radliff (3)

This was my favorite out of the hot drinks kukai. The author used such vivid words that give such a detailed description. I can see the steam dancing above the cup. And I see a group of friends all huddled together on a cold day trying desperately to keep warm, moving from side to side. —Andrea Roewe

ice on the window pane
a warm mug nestled between my hands
spiced apples dance in the air

floating along
in rich, warm, sweetness
the marshmallow slowly melts

Candace Golden (2)

the whipped topping
from the coco
now on her nose

Nikki Garry (2)

This poem reminds me of Austin Powers. I see this girl drinking cocoa with whipped cream, and she has this huge gob of whipped cream on her nose. She has no clue it’s there and no one’s telling her. —James Osmun

by the fire visiting
with old friends
cups of mulled wine

Maureen Yates (2)

heavy tea cups
porcelain perfection,
his lips waiting to finish

monday morning
usual headache,
first sip Papua New Guinea

Lying on the sofa
herbal mint tea
clears passages with steam.

On top of the mug
fluffy marshmellow clouds
chocolate drips over the side.

at sundown
coffee on the back porch
her day, my day

Randy Brooks

This image is nice and relaxed, unlike my past week! It's a comforting image of two lovers discussing their day with each other while enjoying the sunset and some coffee. This was my favorite out of all of them, once I realized the one I originally picked was my own. Ooops. —Brock Peoples

I like the setting of this poem without the hot drinks. I know that hot drinks are the basis for the poem, but they take away from the wonderful picture that is left without them. —James Osmun

What I enjoyed about this image was it's simplistic beauty! It was more about the people, than the coffee, but what is interesting is the ritual or act of drinking, consuming together, and sharing life. —Stephanie Lovelass

coffee brews
          I remain asleep
Why are you here?

Travis Meisenheimer (2)