Cup of Tea, a poem by Spence’s Girl

Tipper, up close and personal.
Tipper, up close and personal.

Cup of Tea

When did it start, this morning ritual? Rising earlier than necessary to awaken slowly, sipping a cup of tea
Starting another day, snuggling with a purring cat. Comfort. Stillness.
Sleep frequently elusive, restless for years.
Sipping tea, a chance to reflect and be grateful if only for a few minutes each day.

Starting another day, snuggling with a purring cat. Comfort. Stillness.
Wish I could stay here all day and feel this perfect peace, away from all the craziness in the world
Sipping tea, a chance to reflect and be grateful if only for a few minutes each day.
So lucky am I, I see it now.

Wish I could stay here all day and feel this perfect peace, away from all the craziness in the world
Lost in thought, wrapped in a little cocoon of warm, soothing elixir, this tea.
So lucky am I, I see it now.
The day begins in a safe place of reflection, reminding me I’m blessed.

Lost in thought, wrapped in a little cocoon of warm, soothing elixir, this tea.
Sleep frequently elusive, restless for years.
The day begins in a safe place of reflection, reminding me I’m blessed.
When did it start, this morning ritual? Rising earlier than necessary to awaken slowly, sipping a cup of tea.

High Wire

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High Wire
Appearances are deceiving
Balanced on a wire
Creating an illusion
Defying possibilities
Eager to please
Frightened yet exhilarated
Giving myself a push
Hoping for the best
Imagining the worst
Just….hold…steady
Keening left, then right
Losing my footing for a moment
Mastering and memorizing where I need to be
Not caring if I fail
Open to falling
Positioned for landing
Quiet…steady
Ready
Spin
Turn
Unsure about that last step
Vertigo
What was I thinking?
X-rays may be needed
Your mother warned you about taking risks
Zoom, zap, splat!

an original Abecedarian poem by Spence’s Girl

59 Candles, 59 Things -part twenty six

Thirty fourth thing:  In my series, 59 Candles, 59 Things, I’ve chosen to share those things that make me happy, commemorating my 59th year.

I love tea, specifically, hot tea. Never having been able to enjoy coffee (don’t judge), tea has been part of my daily life for at least thirty years.

Starting my day with tea is soothing. Even when I was working, I’d purposely get up an hour earlier than needed to have two cups of tea, Biscotti and Tipper (my cats in case you’re new to my blog) snuggling with me and often, with a few candles lit – especially on cold, dark winter mornings. In retirement, it remains a peaceful start to every morning.

True that!

I even wrote a poem about tea last year in writing class:

Cup of Tea

When did it start, this morning ritual? Rising earlier than necessary to awaken slowly, sipping a cup of tea
Starting another day, snuggling with a purring cat. Comfort. Stillness.
Sleep frequently elusive, restless for years.
Sipping tea, a chance to reflect and be grateful if only for a few minutes each day.

Starting another day, snuggling with a purring cat. Comfort. Stillness.
Wish I could stay here all day and feel this perfect peace, away from all the craziness in the world
Sipping tea, a chance to reflect and be grateful if only for a few minutes each day.
So lucky am I, I see it now.

Wish I could stay here all day and feel this perfect peace, away from all the craziness in the world
Lost in thought, wrapped in a little cocoon of warm, soothing elixir, this tea.
So lucky am I, I see it now.
The day begins in a safe place of reflection, reminding me I’m blessed.

Lost in thought, wrapped in a little cocoon of warm, soothing elixir, this tea.
Sleep frequently elusive, restless for years.
The day begins in a safe place of reflection, reminding me I’m blessed.
When did it start, this morning ritual? Rising earlier than necessary to awaken slowly, sipping a cup of tea.

In a world where there is more than enough stress to go around, tea relaxes me.

I have a shelf in my pantry dedicated to tea, however, this represents only half of the varieties I have in my cupboards.  Variety is good, right?

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Just a few types of tea on display…

There are days when I’m overstimulated by activity, the evening news or simply know that I’m not going to fall asleep easily.  Sleepytime, Tulsi Sleep or chamomile tea can be beneficial, calming me.

Words to live by, for sure.

What things make you happy?

I hope you’ll check out more of my 59 Things series, perhaps while enjoying a cup of tea….

The Milkman and the Mountain

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Traveling in Costa Rica

The Milkman and the Mountain

Just after daybreak I could hear him approaching in the distance.

Clip clop, clip clop – then the subtle ring of a silver bell. Standing tall, like the mountains behind him, on the bed of a flatbed wagon pulled by a mule. Summoned by that bell, women in the barrio would bring their coins and a vessel – a bowl, a pitcher, to their gate at the roadside. Ramrod straight, the milkman would dip his ladle into a tall metal canister and bring out the desired quantity at each stop. His balance was impeccable, never faltering as he navigated the cart along the main road, traffic speeding by.

Clip clop, clip clop, stop, ring, ladle and repeat.

It was difficult to guess his age, I suspected he appeared older as did most of the men in this country. Skin weathered as brown and terra cotta red as those glorious mountains in the backdrop and the dust kicked up and swirling from vehicles racing by. Muscular, wiry, wizened as this land, his daily routine, starting before dawn and producing a miniscule income. And yet, he stood proudly in the knowledge that he was providing a vital service to the families counting on his delivery.

I made a point of rising earlier than usual each morning and taking my tea on our porch along his route. Clip clop, clip clop, stop, ring, he was near. I would wait and catch his eye as he passed.

“Adios” I would offer, “Adios” he would reply with a gentle smile.

That One Kiss (or how I became Spence’s Girl)

True Love Prevails. Only took 18+ years to make it legal, we impulsively eloped 5 years ago. And it all started with that one kiss.
True Love Prevails. Only took 18+ years to make it legal, we impulsively eloped 5 years ago. And it all started with that one kiss.

That One Kiss

That one kiss forever changed the trajectory of my life
I’d known him through friends.
I wasn’t looking for a relationship, I’d been working on finding myself.
What I knew of him, I liked. He made me laugh, he was kind.
I’d known him through friends.
Just a group of us out celebrating, no expectations.
What I knew of him, I liked. He made me laugh, he was kind.
He walked me to my car and kissed me, gentle, soft, lingering for a moment.
Just a group of us out celebrating, no expectations.
That one kiss took me by surprise, left me breathless, he drove away.
He walked me to my car and kissed me, gentle, soft, lingering for a moment.
Days later, I couldn’t forget that one kiss.
That one kiss took me by surprise, left me breathless, he drove away.
I wasn’t looking for a relationship, I’d been working on finding myself
Days later, I couldn’t forget that one kiss.
That one kiss forever changed the trajectory of my life.

Insomnia, a poem

Moon, are you mocking me or just keeping me company?
Moon, are you mocking me or just keeping me company?

Insomnia

When you are young, sleep comes naturally, effortlessly.
Falling into bed, asleep on impact.
When did it start? Can’t shut off the thoughts in my monkey brain.
Oh my, why did I ever say no to a nap?

Falling into bed, asleep on impact.
So many problems to be solved, hurts to be healed, staring at the clock.
Oh my, why did I ever say no to a nap?
Tick tock, tick tock, sleep eludes me, so tired yet so wired.

Peace of mind restored, letting go, accepting what I cannot change.
When did it start? Can’t shut off the thoughts in my monkey brain.
Gratitude as sleep returns, how I now cherish a rest-filled night.
When you are young, sleep comes naturally, effortlessly.

My first poem – form: Pantoum

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The Beginning

She’d made bad choices with men.
A first marriage that left her battered emotionally.
He’d seen battles too – too horrific and suppressed for so long.
Unlikely that they would find in each other a soul mate.

A first marriage that left her battered emotionally.
Not feeling deserving of love or making a meaningful connection.
He’d seen battles too – too horrific and suppressed for so long.
He saw in her a kindred spirit, wounded in her own way.

Not feeling deserving of love or making a meaningful connection.
Having an open heart was so necessary and yet, could they?
He saw in her a kindred spirit, wounded in her own way.
He took a chance. “I’ll try” he thought, “just try”.

Having an open heart was so necessary and yet, could they?
He’d seen battles too – too horrific and suppressed for so long.
He took a chance. “I’ll try” he thought, “just try”.
She’d made bad choices with men.