“A Cup of Tea?”
A Cup of Tea?
her comforting question steadies my inner disarray
with tender hands she offers my favorite cup
the one that brags permanent residency in her kitchen
murmured gratitude passes between us
here in the ashes of my beloved street
hot pot bears witness next to us on gray asphalt
flowered companion with a belly full of generous warmth
cups kiss chins waiting for tea to be sippable
steam warms our noses rendering us foggy-eyed
four tiny shields against heartbreak unfathomable
I have to go. I have to see.
Not by yourself, she insisted.
gone is the green porch that kept our secrets
as we poured out tea and life tuesday after tuesday
chairs squeaking protest as we settled in
bringing a chuckle sometimes much needed
hot pot releases a sad sigh, wishing it could bow its head
– Wendy Lew Toda
Published in Local News Pasadena. Click to read the whole story:
