Tea

Poem & drawing by Sasan Seifikar
June 29, 2007
iranian.com

A CUP OF TEA

Any time and any place
Nothing is as refreshing
As a cup of tea

After any toil
(Even before or during)
Nothing is better
For restful relaxation

It brings comfort, gentleness, and peace
It brings happiness and well-being
It is invigorating and lightens the spirit
It is good in winter and summer
It briefly stops the world
Giving us a little time to reflect

Tea is my favorite tonic
I need to go and make some tea
Right away!

MAKING TEA

I fill the kettle with water
Put it on the stove
Light the gas to boil it

I get the painted tin
Where I keep my fragrant leaves
Those crumpled leaves of tea
Mixed with rose petals

I spoon the tea from the tin
Pour it into the tea pot
Add the boiling water
Wait while it brews
To develop the flavor and aroma

I lift the tea pot and pour
Filling the glass cup
Beautiful color, scent and taste
My tea looks like sunlit gold

And if you were here
I would pour you a cup
Serve you biscuits with it

We could talk about life
Literature or anything you like
Or we could just sit back quietly
And enjoy the tea together

-Rotterdam, Netherlands