Poem: The Unwinding

this thing I must do
when the door is closed,
the deadbolt turned
the workday world
a memory
when I have supped,
the cuppa brewed
and I, alone awake;
the night a curtain drawn
to hide the whispers
only I can hear, for I
the sole survivor of
the passing day
in silence stir
the stillness of
unuttered prayer
this candle lit
this incense burned
this tea a potion
given by this tired woman,
poured out libation
to the hungry creatures
of time that eat away
the sweetness of youth,
devouring the folly
of old mothers
held together by sheer
will, and Will herself,
the mother of my destiny
and father of my might

©15 June 2019

Image from: https://www.oldbookillustrations.com/illustrations/enchantress-begins/

Poem: she sips tea

https://www.publicdomainpictures.net

she sips tea
from a cup
cracked with time
a chalice
imbued with memories
and prophecies
an ancient elixir,
she sips, and recalls
grandmother's
grandmothers,
each generation
a link to the other
contemplating the children,
recalling the wonder in their
every new experience
grown now, poured out
into a world of mystery
and fear
she sips tea
finger raised, ignores
the cracks and
imagines life as if
it were whole

(c) 5.6.18

2016 National Poetry Month Poem Three of Thirty - Desolation

Bleak skies heavy with unfallen rain
A cold wind rustles thatch, and
Clothing on the line snaps
Cadence of impending storm

Inside whitewashed cottage
Mother and Daughter sit at tea
Poured hot from cozy covered pot
Matching china cups dappled by
Waning afternoon light through lace
Fresh cream and sugar stir up
The future in tea leaves, swirling
Biscuits, sweet dipped, pinkie lifted
Cup to mouth, chipped edge turned away

Mother talks of days gone by,
Old boyfriends, husband off to war,
Not returning then or now or ever
The cold space in her bed, beside
Daughter, wistful, stirs new futures
Into tea leaves, faulty daydreams

Outside, furry moth lands on
Ancient window, then flits away
As raindrops begin their tapping
Coded messages upon the glass
And broken cobblestones that line
The aging walk; rosebush at the
Garden gate drops one petal,
Red as fresh drawn blood

Inside, Daughter's heart breaks
Serving Mother another cookie
"Tea's good today," her mother says,
With a smile she once reserved
For strangers

(c) 4.3.2016

Poem: Tea out of Season

Unexpected winds blow
Cold around the corners,
Rattling windows answer
Questions barked by
Neighbor dogs, confused
Coyotes howl empathetic, this
Night must bring disaster -
Though it brings no rain

I feel a chill upon my shoulders,
Awakening desire for warm
Tea out of season, and
Feet are ice cold to the bone
Pulling blankets to my chin,
I listen quietly to the sounds
Of Nature's Power as it whips
About my home, and smile,
For at my feet lay proof
That though the world be
All in tatters, with the love
And care of two little dogs
Nothing can bring me down
And indeed, all will be well
Yes, all will be well, and my
World will still be standing
When the night has passed

(c) 8 May 2015

Poem: Work - Twenty-Eight of 30 #NaPoWriMo

My home for the day
Decorated so brightly
A good cup of tea

Poem & Photo (c) 28 April 2015

Poem: Poetry - Four of 30 - NaPoWriMo

There is no better poetry
Than a good cup of tea
The warm light of
A night lamp, puppies
Curled at the foot
Of the bed and the soft
Sound of the beloved
Asleep by my side

(c) 4 April 2015