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

[redflutterby]

Hmm....I get the feeling that the tea drinker is someone who lives a very rigid controlled life. And he doesn't view others as being to his standards. Like someone peering down at you through a monocle. His actions feel like a performance for himself....very shallow. Great poem Rubie!!

[rubie]

Thank you so much for your review. I love your take on this piece....Indeed, he is performing for himself because he so self-absorbed....Appreciate the thought you put into your comments.

[Frieda P]

Reads like OCD and very ceremonial. Made me smile in some odd way though.

[rubie]

Thanks, Frieda. Glad you liked it.

[quinfinn]

ritualistic tea drinking....whoo! and i thought the Brits were fanatical about tea! nicely penned!

[rubie]

Thanks so much, quinn

[quinfinn]

you are very welcome...and i will be back!

[Stella Armour]

i visualized it all in slow motion..like a ritual that had to be done in a perfect way...yes, and he seems very aloof..

[rubie]

Indeed....it is like a ritual. I like your take on this very much.
Thanks for the review!!

[Stella Armour]

you are very welcome rubie...

[zainul]

Having tea is a pleasure like dining a great food.
Wonderful write.
Enjoyed reading.

[rubie]

Thanks for the kind review!

[zainul]

You are always welcome.:)

[john alan willox]

I don't like him very much - but i like what you've described - excellent portrayal of a man as an ego... even tea deserves better

[rubie]

After I wrote this, I wasn't sure I liked him either. But he came to me, and he needed to be heard.

Thanks for the review. Much appreciated.

[john alan willox]

and he was

[jacob erin-cilberto]

like a priest looking through the bottom of a clear chalice...i wonder what life looks like through that monocle...

life has many tea times...where the cup is neither half full nor half empty...it just is.

and we should drink it with a smile...

i like "nibbling sips"

cool line there.

[rubie]

thanks for the read, and for your great review!!

[Rita L. Sev]

A glimpse of a moment - reality, no illusion, seeking stability... I like this a lot, and will be pondering it all night. Great piece!

[rubie]

Thanks for your review, Rita. Glad you liked it!!