Day 7 of Poetry Month

I find I get my inspiration from everywhere. News, books, surroundings and life are all jumping-off points. The following came after visiting the Dr. Sun Yat-Sen classical garden. I found it a very spiritual location. 

Tea Ceremony

Ray and I

forgot the red linen tablecloth;

instead we used a pink and blue one

my mother had given us

when we moved in

together. His mother did not know

until, by accident,

his sister mentioned lunch, two weeks before,

and out of the bag it leapt.

She’s come

to tea to check out me, to see

if I can hit the mark.

(Ray say not to worry,

but I will, for he is proud

and wants his mother’s blessing even tough

he’s broken her most sacred law.)

Her standards will be higher

than the North Shore mountains.

If I don’t pass her tests,

life will go on

just as before,

but over time

the tea cup

will

slip

and be

brok-

      en.

[© Catherine 1999]