Tea for Two
Contemplation steeped
in a pool of lavish tea
Share a cup of gold
Poets rhyme sugar
with teacup and saucer
They alliterate morning with mug
Delicate or robust
Hinting fruit, nut or flower
Every good cup
starts with boiling water
Beatniks ring saucers
with teaspoon clappers
Jam with jazz rappers
Sing praises to Lao Tzu
Steam rises like breath
from a talkative kettle
Water pours like conversation
into a quiet cup
___________Colleen Redman / Photos taken at the Draper Mercantile’s Tea Garden / Poets and Storytellers United
May 23rd, 2021 12:30 am
I love the peaceful and delighted mood of this, and how the poem moves more and more towards it until that culminating last verse, which is just perfect.
May 23rd, 2021 3:01 am
I love the look of the Draper Mercantile’s Tea Garden, Colleen, and as I read your poem I felt as if I were there with you, sharing a cup of gold. I too alliterate morning with mug – I have a cup of cranberry and raspberry beside me, although I went cold while I’ve been reading and commenting! I love these lines especially:
‘Steam rises like breath
from a talkative kettle
Water pours like conversation
into a quiet cup’.
May 23rd, 2021 7:12 am
Even as long as she’s known me, My Beloved Sandra still seems (surprised? dismayed? annoyed?) when I tap out a rhythm with my coffee spoon..
Wonderful collection, CR.
May 23rd, 2021 7:42 am
How normal and satusfying is drinking tea with friends or just by oneself. It is part of life.
May 23rd, 2021 11:08 am
I enjoyed the complete piece, the poetry and the images. But this stanza was an extra delight to read aloud:
“Beatniks ring saucers
with teaspoon clappers
Jam with jazz rappers
Sing praises to Lao Tzu”
Love the yummy sounds.
May 23rd, 2021 12:30 pm
Now you’re speaking my language! I love this homage to the peace of a good cuppa tea. LOL, it’s time for me to make my afternoon cup.
May 23rd, 2021 6:04 pm
I’m waiting for my invitation. It looks so inviting!
May 24th, 2021 6:38 pm
It is a lovely ode to one of the not-so-small pleasures of life. And the first time I can remember that you’ve illustrated your poem with your photographs! So nice.
May 25th, 2021 4:14 pm
This is a masterful combination of poetry and lovely images ….. Cheers! (I’ll have a cuppa … with you)
May 26th, 2021 7:08 pm
I really like the way these all fit together, and the last stanza makes for a fantastic finish, full of similes.