The Art of Tea

Delicate porcelain china cups
A steaming teapot in our midst
Conjures a stirring for warm
Souls to feed off love and lace.

Little sips at a time, between
Little bits about you and me,
Peel off the skin of unfamiliarity
Making friendship an easy bridge.

The wonder of tea works the hour
A hospitality scene repeated in
Homes everywhere where one’s
Spirit settles into fine intimacy.

Ah! The warm, calmative tea
Poured slowly from teapot to cup,
Makes way for a light exchange,
A sweet communion of minds.

It’s two or more sharing a table
Of tea to reach one another’s id,
In mannered speech ritualized
Between sips of steeped hot tea!

Thank God for this universal
Gift of tea which, since ever when
Has kept the seeds of human gentility
Yet alive in this, a raucous age!









Copyright ©2006 Philippine American Writers and Artists, Inc.