Tag Archives: tea

Poetry, Writing

Austin Grind

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(Poem 196 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

https://images.app.goo.gl/A45HMcJgMDfrc3XK9

My grind began with driving  
my grandfather to the hospital,
then trying to find a coffee shop
where I could set up and work.
The first big chain location
was full of people like me with
their laptops open on tables,
steaming cups of coffee at
each elbow, the essential
fuel that powers commerce.
Siri found me another option,
and she did not disappoint.
Austin Grind welcomed me
with open arms, an empty
table, tea, and a tasty scone.
Later, at lunch time, a chicken
panini hit the spot to keep me
nourished, comfortable, and
working steadily on my hot-
spot until time to rescue my
grandfather from his ordeal.
Five stars, first class, top notch,
superb, blue-ribbon, stellar,
as reviewed by this remote
worker who will be sure to
revisit next time I need a safe,
inviting space with good food
and tea for the daily grind.

@Home Studio – 196th poem of the year

Runner ups for the Austin Grind photos to accompany my poem:

Poetry, Writing

Coffee Cacophony

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(Poem 187 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/a9RJoh

You doin’ ok?
the barista asks someone looking at the menu
You’ve got to be hot because I’m hot
my husband says to me
Unidentifiable ethnic-sounding earth music plays
over the speakers chanting comforting spells
A soprano’s laugh bubbles up above all the other sounds
I’m fine
a tenor responds to someone who asks
My husband whispers or raps or sings to himself
perhaps he is reading out loud, it could be any of the above
because he is rarely silent for long
You’ve lost one of your lenses
a woman says to the elderly man she cares for
I know, he says
does she think he is unaware that he can only half-see?
freeway
I was trying to draw you
spiral
London Fog
to be clear
I think we all know
it’s a reservoir
keep going, Dude
really hammer it home
when I’m on stage
I’m not racist or homophobic
not on purpose
there is a monster
how cute
Chai
Hello
A blender and cups being bussed are the percussive elements that were missing.
Tea-Jasmine
Someone knocks loudly on the restroom door
one-two-three-four in quick succession
and a phone whistles
it just got real

@Genuine Joe’s – 187th poem of the year

Runner ups for the coffee shop photos to accompany my poem:

Poetry, Writing

Sarah & Duck

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(Poem 161 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

https://search.app.goo.gl/pAxteJN

Charlotte and I, and Sarah and Duck
like to have tea together now and then.
We especially like it when we get visits
from Donkey, Scarf Lady, Bag, and Bug.
We gossip about Scooter Boy and the
Ribbon Sisters sitting with Umbrella.
We keep an eye on The Shallots to see
if they have grown, say hello to Plate
Girl, and wave happily to Hat Lady.
If it’s an especially lovely day, we might
see Bread Man, hear a squawk from
Flamingo, or chat with Leftover Wool.
And through it all, we sip our tea and
sigh, while whispering as many right
proper British-isms as we can muster.

@Home Studio – 161st poem of the year (after watching Sarah & Duck with Charlotte.)

Harris, Sarah Gomes, and O’Sullivan, Tim, Sarah & Duck, Karrot Animation, 18 February, 2013.

Poetry, Writing

Erica Magic

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(Poem 141 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

Selfie by Erica Smith

One minute she’s harvesting
seeds from dried flowers she
plucked from her own garden,
the next she’s trying on new
nails she got on sale from her
latest favorite glamour website.
She flits around handling
five children clamoring like
baby birds for her food and
her praise because nothing
is better than Erica approval.
Through it all she’s telling stories,
sharing the latest gossip, and
exclaiming such things as
I can’t,
ain’t nobody got time for that,
go lay down,
I got time today,
who are you talkin’ to,
not on my watch,
I can hear you, you know,
the call is coming from inside the house,
get somebody else to do it,
boy, bye,
they’re all broken.
And we laugh and cry and
sip tea and share our lives.

@Home Studio – 141st poem of the year

Health, Poetry, Writing

Contentment

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(Poem 96 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/JXk1Un

Contentment is pajamas
and a fan blowing straight
on my bare shoulders,
flickering candlelight,
endless streaming of my
favorite shows as long as
I feel like watching them,
sweet tea, lines of poetry,
a chapter of a good novel,
a cool spring breeze that
rustles the tranquil curtains,
salt and pepper kettle chips,
the clickity clack of my
keyboard when my fingers
know what they want to type,
my husband hobbying a
few feet away from me,
the dogs playing outside,
the cats sleeping nearby,
my kids and grandkids off
doing their own things,
and the complete absence
of pain or discomfort.

@Home Studio – 96th poem of the year

Runner ups for the Contentment photos to accompany my poem:

Poetry, Writing

Southern Sweet Tea

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(Poem 94 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/JnB2Yp

There’s nothing more refreshing
than a cold glass of sweet iced
tea when a body’s hot as blazes.
My Mema insisted on unsweet,
so we had to agree to disagree.
Once, when I was up in Detroit,
someone offered to make me a
glass and poured powder into
liquid; it was instant, they said.
I had never heard of such an
innovation and was baffled by
the dehydrated concoction.
Well, how do you make it? they
asked, and were equally perplexed
by my method of brewing a pot
of tea, only to pour it over ice.
The strange culture clash was
more unsettling than yous guys
instead of y’all, playing football
in the snow, drinking milk out of
bags, and eating ketchup chips.
At least Mema and I agreed on
the starting point for our tea
with a fresh tea bag, a boiling
pot of water, and a few minutes
of conversation while you wait
for it to steep. No need to rush.
Take your time. Sit a spell.

@Home Studio – 94th poem of the year

Fiction, Health, Poetry, Writing

Hobbit Hole

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(Poem 83 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/IqifFz

Someday I’ll live in a hobbit hole
and grow mushrooms and sweet mint.
I’ll stoke a small fire to cut the chill
and steep cinnamon for a cozy scent.

First thing in the morning, I’ll sip my tea,
while I watch the sunrise in peace.
Then at 10:02, I’ll water the plants,
before hand-feeding the bunnies and geese.

By then it’ll be time for second breakfast—
berries and cream in a bowl.
Then I’ll probably need to take a nap
because that’s life in a hobbit hole.

@Home Studio – 83rd poem of the year

Runner ups for the Hobbit hole photos to accompany my poem:

Health, Poetry, Writing

Pondering Woman

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(Poem 82 for 2024 – I am writing a poem a day)

AI Generated image I prompted on Gencraft.com https://gencraft.ai/p/jPrvHv

Shall I build a spire atop my roof
and invite the townspeople to a
grand ball with a string quartet?
Or shall I plant a rose garden
hedged in by topiaries and pebble
paths bordered by flower beds?
Or shall I plan a high tea with
clotted cream, scones, and jam,
cucumber sandwiches all around?
If it’s a rainy day, should I pass
the time by taking an afternoon
lover and lounge on satin cushions?
If I’m feeling melancholy, shall I
read a book of poems by candlelight
and cry luxuriously at the romance?
Once I pay bills and file my taxes,
get my oil changed and check the mail,
grocery shop and gas up the car,
shall I start on my new to do list?
Yes, I think I shall.

@Home Studio – 82nd poem of the year