The Causerie Blog

Fences That We Build Are Not Always Meant to Keep People Out

5/26/2015

Sometimes behind the highest fences are the best surprises.

Fences That We Build
Are Not Always Meant
To Keep People Away

There’s a house
Down the road from us.
It’s been there for years
Longer than I.

It was neglected and it
Looked weary, trying to hold
Its own in
A grove of cedars.

Then people of character
Moved in.
They patched holes and they
Painted boards.

But mostly, they
Put up fences.
Fences that stretched
Around the sides of the
House, curving like
Welcoming arms
Reaching out
To passers by.

Fences, offering
Friendship to
All who would but
Venture a visit in.

Susan Patterson
10-2013

Audio and Comment-

Fences around houses are meant to keep in or out that which is either desirable or undesirable. Whether it is people, animals, sights, noise or simply the unknown, fences can offer peace and safety. But fences can limit our experiences as well. People are a lot like houses, aren't they? skp

Welcome To Those Who Appreciate a Good Cuppa

Susan Patterson, writer for Earlene Grey and Gail Gastelu, publisher of The Tea House Times.

Greetings!

We in the world of Earlene Grey want to extend a short, but sincere welcome to The Causerie to all of the tea aficionados we met at the World Tea Expo in Long Beach a few weeks ago. A huge thank you goes to our friend,Gail Gastelu of the Tea House Times for hosting us at the show.

We hope that you will enjoy an occasional tea poem along with our weekly postings of poetry for the seasons of life. Thank you for joining us! And so, for our new readers, a poem just for you. Happy tea times!
skp

♨︎

A Decision Not to Know

Sometimes I am defined by what I do,
Trying to make what I do, into who I am.
Yet spinning about so from one to another me
Weakens the mind and binds the soul.

Sometimes, who one is has to be said
And then it must be owned.
But who is to say what and why and when?

Is it for me to say and be and then to do?
Or shall I just do and then I will be?
I truly haven’t a clue.

Well then, what?
‘Have tea!’ I say to those who query.
And leave me quietly and respectfully be!

Amen.

Earlene Grey
November 2005

Earlene Grey - A Literary Company

Who is this Earlene Grey, anyway? Earlene Grey is the name of the company which publishes books written by Susan Patterson. Clear as mud? Alright, let's go back a bit.

When Susan Patterson first started writing, she didn't want anyone to know what she was doing. Crazy, yes. Still and all, Susan Patterson took the pen name of Earlene Grey. It was a play on the name of Earl Grey tea, you see. She wrote a lot of poetry with references to tea. Clever? Not so much.

Eventually Miz Grey wrote less and less tea poetry. And, eventually Miz Grey realized that a pen name was not necessary. So, Susan Patterson wrote under her own name. Finally.

However, the name of the company that produces the books readers have discovered and loved, is Earlene Grey, LLC. Kinda like Helena Rubenstein or Coco Channel or Estee Lauder. It's a better name than Poems R Us, isn't it?

Susan Patterson books available at http://www.earlenegrey.com/

Musings With a Cuppa-The Poetry of Tea
Heart to Heart-Considered Sentiments for Teatime
Tom and Irma-Chronicles of the 1950's
Unnoticed Moments

▶ Begin to write what you know your truth to be. If it is not real, the words will not come to you. Earlene Grey

There is certain poetry in nature, especially a shallow stream, flowing by smooth river rocks, under the rustling trees.

Cheery-bye! skp

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The Days, They Go So Quickly

5/20/2015

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'These days the world is her parlour, from which she gauges its progress.'

The Days, They Go So Quickly

She was important once,
Her distinction, noted by
Those who cared.
For a few cycles around the sun,
She knew things, she did things.
People inquired of her opinion.
Some listened.

But, she doesn’t need
To be important any longer.
The time for that has passed,
And in truth,
She was not meant to be great,
Only to be good.

Now, she is
Leaving importance
To the younger women.
They are more well-suited.
They are the ones
Who are needed.
They will succeed.

These days the world is
Her parlour from which,
She gauges its progress,
Sometimes caring less,
Always hoping for more.

Still, she is grateful to be
Not important.

Susan Patterson
4-2015

Audio and Comment-

There are a great many people out there who do the best they can. Their best may not be the answer to problems at any given time, but their efforts can be appreciated and passed on to the next generation. Although the subject of this poem could have been male, I made her female. It seems that the time for the woman is coming. It might be the right time. skp

Tea Talk - Poetry, Facts and Fun

Susan Patterson reading to an audience at a tea convention.

Looking for something different in a presentation for your group's next meeting? How about a little poetry combined with interesting information about tea, creating a lovely time with your friends. Susan Patterson has put a program together that is sure to please the thoughtful audience. It will touch the heart and meet the mind. Email [email protected] if you are interested in learning more about engaging her for your next event. ❈❈❈

The Deceptive Invitation

You pick the flowers.
I’ll choose the tea.
You bake the cake.
I’ll brew the tea.
You make the savouries.
I’ll pour the tea.
No need for praises,
Just RSVP.

Earlene Grey May 2005

▶A woman's strength is in the balance in her life; a man's strength is in the woman in his life. Earlene Grey

Tulips are becoming my favorite flower because of how they age in the vase. These tulip buds are ready to open and become artfully graceful as they relax in the water.

I'll be seeing you! skp

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Ageless Impressions

5/14/2015

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Even if he were in universes beyond ours, he would still remember her.

Ageless Impressions

He wants to remember
What she is like and
How his hand feels on her body.
It has been there countless times before.
The imprint of this ritual
On his mind is deep.

His hand starts at the
Side of her chest,
Slides its way down and
Dips into the waist,
Up at the hip
And down to the thigh.

They call to mind the important,
Forgetting what is hurtful or useless.
Changes in her do not matter
Because he pictures her young.
She knew his strength and sees it still.
Down the side, in at the waist,
Up at the hip and down to the thigh.

She wants to remember what
His hand feels like on her body.
It’s been there countless times before.
The imprint is deep in her mind.
Down the side, in the waist,
Up the hip and down the thigh.

Susan Patterson
4-2015

Audio and Comment-

There is not much to say about this poem that the reader cannot imagine. I hope that you like it. skp

World Tea Expo - 2015

Susan Patterson reading her poetry to Wendi Jocoy of the Painted Lady Tea Room, Oregon.

That Crucial Steeping Time

Men are like tea leaves.
Getting in hot water for just
A little while produces
An interesting and tantalizing flavor.

Too long in hot water-
Creates a bitter taste,
And makes for a
Very unpleasant experience.

So, Ladies, whether brewing tea leaves or men,
Don’t worry about them being in hot water.
Let them steep for just the
Right amount of time and you, too,
Will savor the flavor of
Your favorite cup of tea.

Earlene Grey
11-2003

Audio and Comment-

I would be remiss if I did not post a tea poem in 'The Causerie' this week. Husband, James and I have just returned from four days at the World Tea Expo in Long Beach, CA. A huge thank you goes to Gail Gastelu for hosting the Earlene Grey company in her space at the Expo. Gail publishes 'The Tea House Times', and it is the place to go to find anything and everything about the world of tea. www.TheTeaHouseTimes.com. The World Tea Expo is held every year to host tea purveyors and aficionados from all over the world. It is exciting to watch the industry grow and to see our culture change from one that does not know tea, to one that appreciates tea and all of its wonderful flavors and benefits.

The above poem,"That Crucial Steeping Time" is one that I read over and over again to those who stopped by our booth looking at The Tea House Times information and my collection of books. This particular verse brought many a laugh from the couples in the crowd. Yes, other poems were read as well, but this amusing verse was a wonderful way to begin a conversation. "That Crucial Steeping Time" can be found in Musings With a Cuppa-The Poetry of Tea, my first book, which is now on sale now for six dollars per copy.

NEWS FLASH!

For those who do not know, Earlene Grey and Susan Patterson are one of the same person. When I first started writing, I didn't want anyone to know. Silly me. Now, fourteen years later, I don't mind so much if people understand that I am a poet. My company is still named Earlene Grey and many people call me Earlene. Great fun! skp

▶If you marry someone who drinks tea, you will marry an honorable person. Earlene Grey

Mr. and Mrs. James and Susan Patterson, aboard the HMS Queen Mary, ready to enjoy a formal dinner.

Till next time, happy tea times. skp

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Causerie \kōz-'rē\

Fences That We Build Are Not Always Meant to Keep People Out

Audio and Comment-

Welcome To Those Who Appreciate a Good Cuppa

Earlene Grey - A Literary Company

The Days, They Go So Quickly

Audio and Comment-

Tea Talk - Poetry, Facts and Fun

Ageless Impressions

Audio and Comment-

World Tea Expo - 2015

Audio and Comment-

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