At Times Like This, Tea
Forget complicated instructions.
Ignore those who say you must try this you
must do that.
Buy tea that sounds yummy. Brew it.
If you like it sweet, add sweet. If you don’t,
don’t. You are not under surveillance by the tea police
as you top your fine English breakfast with Reddi Wip.
Sip.
People across this blue-green world drink with you.
Breathe flavor. Today — Joy.
In a few minutes, the leaves unfurl
and so do I. The laptop anticipates
my next move.
Most days the tea runs out before the words.
—Megan Willome, from Writing Rituals: Starting With Tea at Tweetspeak Poetry
Read more Tea Poems
Read Making the Perfect Cup of Tea
Megan Willome is the author of The Joy of Poetry: How to Keep, Save & Make Your Life With Poems. She also writes for Tweetspeak Poetry, WACOAN magazine, the Fredericksburg Standard Radio Post, and Magnolia Journal. When she goes to the library, she always comes home with at least one book for young people. Her day is incomplete without poetry and tea. Megan's favorite Emily D poem is "I started early, took my dog" and she loves David's Tea Buddha's Blend.
Latest posts by Megan Willome (see all)
- AT TIMES LIKE THIS, TEA - 06/04/2021
I love everything about this. 🙂
Love the poem and the photo.
That is my Wednesday cup, Bethany. 🙂 (I keep track of the days of the week with my teacup choices. 🙂 )
And the toucan just looked like he went with Megan’s poem. He’s very happy with his choices, it seems. And a touch mischievous.