An Affair Over Tea

Un Peu Poésie Légère
(A Little Light Poetry)

I came for the tea,
said I. And she
with eyes like kohl
in diamond lit dew
smiled. Whereas we,
'neath lush camellia tree,
sojourn singly, the soul
of this deep amber brew,
bids us sit. The bowl,
to its subtle brim,
where ripples swim
sings, 'drink deep of me.'

Our cups is empty
said I. Then she
lips blush like figs
bright softly wet,
On this lets agree...
I'll fill you, if you fill me;
my soft petals to your stout sprig!
Our engagement now set,
'forget the din,' * quoth she
Then plunging ladle deep and up
smoothly filled my empty cup
singing, 'Drink deep of me.'

I came for thy tea!
Spoke I. And she
cup shy to tongue
and a tilt to her gaze
Answer now, I challenge thee...
Lovest thou my heart more than tea?
For though we are yet young
wilt thou love me all my days?
Stay thy cup! Thy troth unsung!
'Neath stars, moon, sun, camellia bowers
pledge thou me thy love's endless hours?
Ne'er tiring to drink deeply of me?

Of thee, thy tea?
Asked I. And she 
'Yes' in her eyes,
Come drink of me
of mine own heady brew!
You sing to me, and I'll to you
of our lives desires 
'neath the circling sun!
And I smiled, filled with its fires 
I would that our cups never empty
that your lips soft and chastely
ever desire to drink deep of me!

I came for the tea!
She said. And she,
a dapple of sun
on her soft silk brow,
smiled, I would drink thee
daily, nightly, bold and lightly
Oolong, White, Matcha, Pu'er
hot, cool or chill,
where'er you lay
And her lips kissed the brim of her porcelain cup
brow softly down, her eyes looking up
Come, drink only of me!
For an age of me!
Forever of me!
Come, my love, let's tea!


ELAshley
062411.044007.6
Revisions:
091211.105641.1
102011.125103.6 [including last two stanzas]
020316.030827.6


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* "Tea is drunk to forget the din of the world."

--T'ien Yiheng