When I was alone in his apartment, I found a shred with poetry among the scattered papers, the only written next to his critical exeges, which I have ever seen from him. An incomplete, rejected ode: "O caffeine!/You contemporary z̶i̶h̶n̶ffliehn/i̶c̶h̶ ̶d̶i̶r̶ ̶i̶n̶s̶ ̶g̶s̶s̶h̶t̶ ̶g̶s̶p̶p̶p̶i ̶h̶a̶s̶ ̶M̶r̶ ̶i̶n̶s̶ ̶g̶s̶s̶c̶h̶t̶/on the face ... "And in fact numerous prints of a coffee cup could be seen on the leaf.
by Jonathan Lethem
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In the narrative, the protagonist discovers a fragment of poetry amidst a disorganized stack of papers in someone's apartment. This particular poem stands out as it represents the only instance of the individual's creative writing next to their analytical critiques. The poem appears to be an unfinished ode dedicated to caffeine, highlighting the writer's struggles with self-expression and the rejection of their artistic ambitions.

The presence of coffee cup stains on the page adds a tangible detail that emphasizes the writer's connection to their subject. It suggests an intimate relationship between the poet and their muse, caffeine, while also reflecting the chaos of their life. This moment captures a glimpse into the creative process, intertwining the mundane with artistic aspirations and portraying the complexities of the writer's inner world.

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