Saturday, June 21, 2014

"Steeping"

Etsy shop "The Vintage Teacup"
Steeping

Afternoons I become a lady,
delicately balance my Ansley teacup
pinky outstretched,

lips seemingly sweet
as the pastel Wisteria
with leaves painted minty-lime green.

Yet words slip through, unpruned,
bloom as I center the quatre foil
within gold trimmed center,

join the sacred and spiritual
circle of gossip as whispers steep
unfavorable and shocking.

Lean back, savor the tingle
of our "cleansing".  Vow to never
dishonor Queen Catherine's legacy.

by Margaret Bednar, June 21, 2014


Wow.  Teacups really are works of art.  HERE is a link to a fabulous Pinterest site devoted to Ansley Teacups.

Tea finally arrived in England during the 17th century when King Charles II married a Portuguese princess, Catherine of Braganza.  The Queen made tea the drink of royalty and soon tea became a popular import to Britain via the East India Company.  Afternoon tea or tea parities became a common way for aristocratic society to drink tea (and gossip).

This is linked with Imaginary Garden of Real Toads "Transforming Friday with Nature's Wonders" - Fields of Tea in China. 

10 comments:

Kerry O'Connor said...

I agree that teacups are a work of art, and one should feel transformed when sipping from bone china. You have created the scene so clearly with your words.

Jim said...

Oh my goodness ;) BTW, the above link is a bummer, nobody with that address on AOL.

I am liking this, just about every line keeps me imaging the BBC TV program, "Keeping Up Appearances" with Hyacinth, Mrs. Bucket.

Your teacup find is very pretty, I'd come to afternoon tea and feel privileged. Mostly I come to afternoon tea when on a cruise ship although I have visited a few hotels for them as well. Plus at home of course.
..

Sherry Blue Sky said...

I love "afternoons I become a lady" - reminded me of my grandma's afternoon tea parties, fancy teacups, white gloves, hats, the whole shebang..........at which I sometimes forgot to mind my manners and got teased after the ladies left....LOL.

Hannah said...

I Love the facet you brought, Margaret, both poetically and in your research. Beautiful works of art indeed! Thank you so much for joining the challenge!!

Lisa Gordon said...

I actually collect teacups!
I so love them. don't know quite why, but I do.

Audrey Howitt aka Divalounger said...

This is lovely--I love the calmness and peacefulness that can accompany tea

Outlawyer said...

Ha. I am a big drinker of tea. And i try not to gossip, but well-- a lovely poem1 Thanks, Margaret. k.

Anonymous said...

ps ==outlawyer is me, manicddaily. I am very much of a lawyer these days! Too much so, maybe--sorry so late in returning comments to your charming poem. k.

Anonymous said...

quite so :) ~

Ginnie Hart said...

Having just visited England in May, Margaret, this is more timely...and true...than you realize. HA! Actually, in a past life I used to collect such lovely teacups. Their art is one of a kind, for sure.