In Praise of Tea

[Shelley Hansen]

IN PRAISE OF TEA
(c) Shelley Hansen 23/8/16

Some people talk of coffee with a dreamy sort of gaze -
flat white, short black - they blithely lap it up.
But me - I am a "tea girl", and I punctuate my days
with milestones marked by each delicious cup.

I'm not a fan of herbals, lemongrass or camomile,
although it's said that they promote good health.
I sometimes try a green tea, but the black is more my style -
a cup in hand is my idea of wealth!

For breakfast it is Dilmah, brewed the good old-fashioned way
with leaves infused for flavour in a pot;
and then mid-morning, nothing's so uplifting as Earl Grey
with just the right amount of bergamot.

Mid-afternoon demands a slightly lighter-flavoured brew
to cool, refresh, re-energise the mind.
Then after dinner, Fuji Mountain White will see me through
with elegance that's soothing and refined.

So join me at the teapot - now is just the perfect time
to pop a dose of camaraderie;
and if the Muse deserts you as you chase elusive rhyme,
you'll find the answer in a cup of tea!

[David Campbell]

Alas, alack, it must be said
that tea is not my thing,
though, truth be told, I’ve often read
it makes the old heart sing.

And coffee? No, that’s not much good,
despite barista tricks…
I’ve never really understood
the daily caffeine fix.

You might think alcohol’s my vice,
a red or white or beer,
but none of ’em are very nice,
so they’re out too, I fear.

And soft drink doesn’t ring my chimes,
no matter how it’s made,
though I confess, in childhood times,
I quite liked lemonade.

So these days all I have to drink
is water from the tap,
which keeps my kidneys in the pink,
and me a happy chap!

© David 24/08/16

[Shelley Hansen]

You should open a health shop, David!

We talk of tea and coffee too
and search to find the perfect brew
but it would just be leaf and bean
if water was not on the scene
(and mighty hard to chew)!

[Glenny Palmer]

you two!
I always said that if my croc ever was hospitalised that they'd have him on a black tea intravenous drip.