in appreciation of tea

dear God, today
I thank you
for making
tea.

tea,yes,tea

through tea I know, I can feel, quite surely
of your very great
smile
that you are smiling upon
tea-drinking
me.

for the soul feels
warm
after drinking tea,
through drinking tea,
while drinking tea,
...and shoulders relax
...and eyes relax
...and thoughts relax

and thanks to you I remember peace through
a cup
of oh-so-lovely hot
tea.

poem by Clara Ellen, 2013
(a very old photo, from a summer long past)