Tea Time

Tea Time

 

Dark amber tea in a glass,

neither half full nor half empty,

 

He smiles,

raises the column to his lips,

holding the thick base in slim fingers.

 

He sips like a wine taster,

drawing breath over the tea’s shoulder,

sucking Constant Comment through his teeth,

almost imperceptibly nibbling each sip,

invisibly swallowing.

 

His head tips back,

the tumbler bottom a Cyclops' monocle.

 

He lowers the empty glass

to the warped wooden table,

micro-maneuvering the base

into the dark, dry ring.

 

It knows where it belongs.

It just doesn’t know where it is.

 

He kisses his white napkin,

as if it were a prayer shawl

smiles enigmatically, and murmurs,

 

Chew one hundred times,

Write one hundred prayers.

 

 

Reviews

[....................]

What keen observation you have employed in this piece, Rubie. I felt myself at the table, sipping tea and peering through my own "Cyclop's monocle'. Tea time (or mug-up as we call it) is a ceremonial time where I come from and though my folks are passed, and with them many of our traditions, I still pause to enjoy a mug. This was very relaxing to read and warm like a cup of Tetley. I also relished in your references to The Great Masticator, Fletcher, and to the power of repetitive prayer (almost like offering penance). A lovely write... I'm off to fill the kettle :)

[rubie]

What a lovely, genuine, heartfelt response. Better than the piece itself, I think!
I prefer Green Tea myself, but yes, this one was inspired by a gentleman who sat across from me in a coffee shop one day. He stirred up memories of my grandfather, sipping tea in a glass....

[....................]

What a wonderful story. An old gentleman I still visit from time to time pours his tea from a saucer and drinks from the saucer. I used to see others do it when I was a boy but there is something genuinely moving to see this very old man enjoy his tea. I prefer a strong, black tea but am a mood drinker so I keep several types of green and white (as well as dark) on had to enjoy and share with company.

[rubie]

This particular gentleman who inspired this piece was so deliberate and purposeful in his movements and mannerisms. It was really as if he was praying....

[....................]

I can see that, in your piece and I see it in my friend here too. It's wonderful to observe.

[Woody]

wonderful sense of observation. you create a perfect image of the gentleman in the readers mind with details and precision. brilliant.

[rubie]

Thank you so much for your kind review and lovely praise which is much appreciated.

[Woody]

the pleasure is mine.

[:o]

Your sense of detail is astonishing and I enjoyed this very much. He kisses his white napkin,
as if it were a prayer shawl. That is one of several images that really stands out in this amazing poem. Great writing from you on this.

[rubie]

Thank you so much for visiting my page. Your review is wonderful, and much appreciated!

[steppenwolf]

You have a lovely way of creating a moment in time, very delicately.

[rubie]

Thank you so much for your kind words. I was inspired to write this piece as I watched a gentleman sipping his tea at a coffee shop. So if it seems "real", that's because it is!

[timothygalexander]

The imagery is extremely engaging. "micro-maneuvering into the dark, dry ring" is my favorite.

[rubie]

Thank you so much for the kind words. Glad you like the imagery in this one, and that line is one of my favorites too!

[Dr. Wood ?]

Ditto dana....great observation....The key to being a great writer

[rubie]

Thank you for your kind words and for stopping by! Much appreciated.

[Dana Alsamsam]

this observational style you have going here is beautiful, turning a simple moment into something rather profound. after all of the lovely imagery you throw in something profound and thought provoking:
"It knows where it belongs.
It just doesn’t know where it is."
those lines are absolutely lovely and had me reading this piece a second and third times to see if i could decode your message. i love the feeling you've developed in this piece and i look forward to reading more of your work!

[rubie]

Thank you so much for your most generous praise. Much appreciated.

[Girl Friday (Sarah W.)]

He lowers the empty glass
to the warped wooden table,
micro-maneuvering the base
into the dark, dry ring.

It knows where it belongs.
It just doesn’t know where it is.

-- fantastic lines...so vivid and full of life bleeding imagery.

I love when people write the tangible, and do it in such a way as to make the mundane suddenly seem like a shimmering treasure washed up on the shore.

The last lines...that is where the metaphor really comes into view, and I am left with questions that I shall ponder (happily) for hours I am sure. I am glad to have found your writing...I will be subscribing to your work. Very nicely written.

[rubie]

You are most kind and generous in your praise. I appreciate the read very much!

[Sami Khalil]

A good ritual I guess and a good poem...:)

[rubie]

Thank you very much. I appreciate the read and your comments....

[Sami Khalil]

My pleasure...Any time...:)