Tea

by Tanya Southey   Mar 4, 2019


The world is crumbling,
life has gone insane,
something must
be done

It looks like nothing
this rising, walking
to the sink,
hands held firmly on
the kettle as
the heaviness
fills the jug

The switch flicked
water simmers
then boils
the kettle vibrates
gives up and
settles
in a steaming hiss

The thin,
bone china tea cup,
warmed,
now waits for water
to turn from colourless
to deep tannin hues,
then softened with
a dash of milk

Hands curled
around
the cup,
warmed from
icy thoughts
of climate change,
parents ageing,
governments failing,
a million things
that can go wrong

She muses at
how much she hates
the phrase
“what happened?”

Reset, steam inhaled,
hope swallowed

Again, she rises.

© Tanya Southey
#52words52weeks
#monthlymusing

    report violation
5


Did You Like This Poem?

Latest Comments

  • 5 years ago

    by Brenda

    I too am a tea drinker. There is something about sitting there allowing the heat to warm your hands and ease your soul during difficult times. Well done-

    • 5 years ago

      by Tanya Southey

      Tea drinkers know! I am probably more of a tea addict. Thanks for the kind feedback!

  • 5 years ago

    by Poet on the Piano

    This is a poem that feels "full" to me and by that, I mean it's reflective and resonates with the part of me that can't understand the world around me, yet can find solace in little moments. My thoughts can become grounded by understanding what I can control and what I can simply react to. Also, as someone who has switched from coffee to cups of tea in the morning, I felt this calm. I have special mugs I've found at thrift stores that are chipped or stained that I use for tea, and the steam soothes my throat. Just starting my morning with this is like separating myself from the chaos of the world for a few minutes or so.

    Brilliant piece. Though I'm not quite sure if "life has gone insane" sounded the best or worked but that's just me ;)

    • 5 years ago

      by Tanya Southey

      Thank you for the great feedback, especially the constructive criticism. I will ponder it over a cup of tea!

  • 5 years ago

    by D.

    A cup of tea is the answer to all life’s problems! Maybe sometimes even encouraging a little soul searching. This is a winning poem, Tanya. Very unique and clever.

  • 5 years ago

    by Kerry Gardiner

    Great imagery in this poem. Nicely done

    Kerry

Read All Comments (8)

More Poems By Tanya Southey

People Who Liked This Also Liked