Tea from the Heart

When you serve tea to your guests, you should simply serve tea from your heart, and think about nothing more. – Sen No Rikyu *

Let me open the cupboard and show you.

I have Earl Grey and English Breakfast,

the delicate or the warmly reassuring.

(You did know Earl Grey is supposed to be

drunk black? So many people add milk,

overwhelming that subtle bouquet.)

Perhaps you prefer green tea? I have it plain,

or flavoured with vanilla. Organic of course.

I hope you don’t mind tea-bags? If you prefer,

I can give you leaves. I was told that these

are high quality. They came from Japan, a gift

from a lovely friend, who has since died.

Or here is this tea they call white, by which

they don’t mean milky, but a special variety

of green tea, minimally processed. That, 

they say, makes it uniquely mellow and sweet.

Complex and sophisticated, even! Once

it was only for Emperors; now it can be yours.

And here I have herbal. Lemon ginger is good

this time of year, when the air starts to cool –

simultaneously soothing and heating, a balm

with a bite. Or there’s rose-hip, for your Vitamin C.

Peppermint is reviving – that clean, tangy taste.

Chamomile’s best before bed; it helps you sleep.

I’m sorry, I only have mugs. I hope you like

a drink that lasts longer. Tea, I know, is for sipping

not gulping, but I trust it won’t get too cold; I warmed

the mugs. This one for you, I think, with the roses?

Do sit on the couch. I’ll fetch some biscuits. Me?

I don’t drink tea myself; I’m a lover of coffee.

Written for The Way of Tea at 'imaginary garden with real toads' and for Poets United's Midweek Motif: Openness

* There is plenty to think about when serving tea, particularly when you're not a tea-drinker yourself – but I hope I look after my guests from an open heart.