Friday, January 15, 2010

The Soul Serene in a Cup of Tea


A Tibetan teabowl.

The sun, Lord of the East, grinds the fragrant
dust of tea.
Bejeweled nectar on the teeth, revives me.
A pure wind envelopes my body.
The whole world seen in a single cup.

~Koban, translated by V. Dixon Morris

Tea does our fancy aid,
Repress those vapors which the head invade
And keeps that palace of the soul serene.

~Edmund Waller

The words "bejeweled" and "palace" make
me feel very regal with my cup of tea this morning.
Yet the teabowl is too "beautiful" for me to use.
I will go find a simple, English teacup, then
sip my tea in regal delight.
My soul will be serene.