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Green Tea

It has traveled
some distance
to reach my palate,
and much further
in history to reach
my poem.

I let myself imagine
the puzzled look
of the Chinese Emperor
when,
as in Eastern legend,
he plucks from his cup
the fallen leaf
from a flowering tree,
smooths it between
his divine fingers,
forever letting
its fragrance
soothe and console
a suffering world.

Style / type: 
Free verse
Review Request (Intensity): 
I want the raw truth, feel free to knock me on my back
Editing stage: 
Content level: 
Not Explicit Content

Comments

You are too kind and wonderful.
Thank you!
L

author comment

To think that a Chinese Emperor sat there on his throne so many ages ago and decided that this green tea thing was a great boon to mankind and it should be savored by the masses. The Emperor was supposed to be divine and he alone should decide if it would be permitted to be traded with the rest of the world. Thank you for the imagined scene and the grace with which it was told. I prefer black and pekoe ~ Geez.
.

There is value to commenting and critique, tell us how you feel about our work.
This must be the place, 'cause there ain't no place like this place anywhere near this place.

There are a few legends, but this seems to be the most typical - maybe because it sounds so spiritual itself? Black and Pekoe are excellent, too!
Thank you!
L

author comment

"The Speed of the Dutch Three-Mastered Clipper Ship" - sounds like a JerryK poem in the making!
Thank you for reading, Jerry!
L

author comment

by accident, a leaf landing in the hot water of some ancient emperor, I would just add that detail. This would explain the emperor's puzzlement...

I let myself imagine
(As legend has it)
the puzzled look of the
Chinese Emperor
as he plucks
the dead leaf
which fell from a tree
into his cup...

A good theme and good finish. Nice poem!

Eumolpus
I'd rather learn from one bird how to sing
than teach ten thousand stars how not to dance
ee cummings

I will play around a bit with your suggestion. Leaving the reader curious is always good, but not if they are left in the dark. I appreciate your time here!
Thank you,
Lavender

author comment

I think that little extra engages the reader a bit more, makes it very credible whole at the same time still allows for the message to connect. An interesting subject, and a good poem
That's the point of these workshops I think, to get feedback and perhaps consider a comment and incorporate it into the poem. Especially since we are mostly posting recent works, or testing out new ideas. Thanks for allowing me to be of help,

Eumolpus
I'd rather learn from one bird how to sing
than teach ten thousand stars how not to dance
ee cummings

Lovely suggestion! I think it was greatly needed, and I appreciate your help.
L

author comment

Many have made good comments about...i would add "great vision / imagination"...

pleasure to read this one..

raj (sublime_ocean)

Tea, especially green tea, is so soothing. Easily poem-worthy.
Thank you!
L

author comment

If only it were that simple

Chrys

check out our chat room open to all 24/7

True, but it does seem to help - even the tiniest bit.
Thank you for reading!
L

author comment
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