Here’s my latest entry into the dVerse Open Link – why not take a look at everyone else’s wonderful responses?
This piece is about a great British tradition, inspired by an overheard snatch of conversation and a memory of growing up that gave me that warm, fuzzy feeling. I hope you enjoy it!
*****
– Time for Tea! –
A cup of tea, it cures all ills
Here in England, the land of Wills
& Kate, and Good Queen Bess
Forgive me now, I must confess
To being rather a fussy type
You know the sort, it must be right,
First you have to warm the pot
Then add the leaves, use a lot
There’s not much worse than a feeble brew
Unless of course you let it stew –
Under-steeped or left too long
Third-rate tea, well that’s just wrong!
A china cup is just the thing
From which to let the flavours sing
And lift you after a long, hard day
You know, we won the war that way
Or so my grandma used to claim
When I was young, the old refrain
Of ‘Shall we have another pot?’
Was something she would say, a lot
I drank it, though I wasn’t fond
Because she made it very strong
The way my grandad liked it, see
It was his perfect cup of tea.
Freya Writes... 
I’m sorry but that’s not for me
I really don’t like a pot of tea
Now the one thing I can easily chug
Is a nice black coffee, by the mug
Nice one, Al!
🙂 I thought I would reply in the vein of your post
The love of the English for their tea is amazing and you have captured it well and in a n amusing manner. Even if, like Al I much prefer coffee, when I am in Britain I always drink some tea. it seems to be part of the experience.
It certainly is part of the British way of life. I was brought up on it! I’m glad you enjoyed my little piece.
A spot of tea; it’s hard for we Americans to remember that most of the world drinks hot tea. We drink lots of iced tea, here in Texas. Your poem is refreshing with either one.
Ah, now iced tea is something we find very strange here – but then we don’t really have the weather for it! Thank you for reading – and I’m glad you were refreshed!
smiles…the english and their tea time… i love that you have that kind of tradition..i wish we had something similiar as for me it brings something like a bit of a little island of rest into the day..
It certainly is an island. Just a few minutes to pause and reflect. I’m glad you enjoyed it!
really sweet poem (even if the dregs are bitter at the bottom of your cup)
I’m glad you enjoyed it! 🙂
ha. this is a pretty cool tradition actually….i rather like a spot of tea, in the eve instead of my coffee…say on the porch as i use it to keep me warm and calm as i watch the world…smiles…
Now that’s a nice thought – an evening cuppa on your porch… I’m glad you enjoyed this – and continue to enjoy your tea!
Fun poem that recalls some wonderful times in London.
We had “tea” as a theme at TweetSpeakPoetry a while back. Come have fun with us there.
Thank you, Maureen. Now I must investigate TweetSpeakPoetry… 🙂
Very cool 🙂
Thank you! 🙂
I love this. My hubby is the tea guy in our house, but even a coffee lover has to appreciate this wonderful poem.
Thank you, Shanyn. High praise from someone who hasn’t come over to the tea side… 🙂
You should pour from the kettle when the water is just starting to boil, and the bubbles rising remain tiny. This aerates the leaves and brings out the flavour better. If you let the bubbles get too big, it removes dissolved oxygen from the water, and tastes stale.
Very precise instructions, Clare!
It is so important to get these things right.
🙂
Nice! I love this! 🙂
Thank you so much!
Nice write here. I have always enjoyed tea when I have been in the UK or Canada. I always intend to drink more tea when I am back home, but alas I think I am really a committed coffee drinker. Tea is a diversion for me, but it just doesn’t ‘take’ for the long term. Smiles.
I had no idea that Canada is also a home of tea drinkers 🙂
Don’t get me wrong, I love a glug of proper coffee too, but I was born into tea, so can’t help but prefer it….
I’m glad you enjoyed my ditty!
This was brilliant – love the nursery rhyme style.. And the end is a lot of fun. I like my tea strong just like my coffee
Thank you, Bjorn. It makes a nice change to follow the light-hearted route!
As an adult I too like a good, strong cup – too much milk is not pleasant to my palate 🙂
Lovely finish about grandad’s perfect cup of tea.. With Best Wishes Scott http://www.scotthastie.com
Thank you, Scott.
Wow! this reminds me of much younger days sipping a cup of hot tea..in a house that was not securely warmed as the home I have in Winter now..the comfort of escaping what we take so much for granted now..@least in my household..NOW…the heater never fails..but the tea is never as warm…as IT once was without heat…
Oh yes – I grew up in a house where we had frost on the inside of the windows in winter… that is a thing of the past now. You are right – the tea is never quite as warm these days.
I’m glad this evoked some memories for you 🙂