‘Would you care for tea?’

‘Yes, please.’

‘What kind of tea do you like?’

- and the cupboard swung open …..

shelves of orderly boxes and cans

a canvas of  colour and lyrical scents -

‘Black tea, red tea

green tea, white tea?

Citrus tea, berry tea,

apple, mango, peach?

Petals or herbs exotic or common?

Sparkled with spices or flower infused?

Tea from China, Sri Lanka, India, Africa,

Japan,  Carolina, ‘Yorkshire’ perhaps?

(a twist of smile)

Flavoured with bergamot or smokey blue ashes?

Perk  you up? Calm you down?

Settle your tummy?’

‘Wow!

It’s a little bit late, so no caffeine, please.

Green tea would be lovely with a half spoon of sugar.’

- so the kettle drummed gluggily while the pretty cups clinked

and talking abated in respect for TEA -

‘This is delicious.

No, I don’t mind the mint, it’s just a hint,

and very well complements rich chocolate tart.

What a fine end to a wonderful visit.

Good-night, good-night, new friends.

Evenings like this are the stuff of living!'