The Enough of Christmas
 
It’s Christmas time and everyone is a wreck.
We’ve gifts to make and friends to greet,
Food to serve, wine to store.
And maybe, even snow to sweep.
 
Christmas cannot wait.  It must be done.
It must be made.  Its importance not passed up.
Oh, my Lord. So much.
So very much. Too much.
What is one to do?
 
Find a kind Soul.
There are some that you know.
Make a cup of tea, nothing more.
Then enjoy Christmas,
With a gift of appreciation
And not a garish show.
 
 
August 2006
Earlene Grey

Well, well, well, the preacher in me is never far from the surface.  I present this poem and talk about keeping Christmas simple.  In the same week, I am preparing for the visiting and reveling with friends an neighbors.  I sure hope that I can take my own advice.  😉

We are pleased to announce that a new edition of the classic book, Musings With a Cuppa~The Poetry of Tea, will be available this spring!   Musings  is the first in the series of poetry books by Earlene Grey company, and still a perennial favorite.  You are sure to enjoy the book's subtle humor and delightful thoughts on life and all of its complexities.  Watch for more details. 

In the meantime, you can enjoy the wit and wisdom of Susan Patterson in the poetry books,  Heart to Heart-Considered Sentiments for Tea Time  and Unnoticed Moments.   Look for sale pricing at www.EarleneGrey.com

Happy holy days to you!  skp

Civility
 
Children hurt.  Animals are vanquished.
Men and women weep.
War is rumored and hate is triumphant.
Oh, we foolish mortals!
If only reason and heart could come together.
 
Some would say that sitting and thinking and talking
With teacup in hand
And carefully being polite is a sham.
 
Yet how better to grow into civility?
For that’s what we need.
The time to be polite,
To be honourable, to be sensible is now.
 
Why carry on with anger and pain and death?
Oh, you foolish mortals!  Rise above.
Maybe, just maybe, the time for tea is now.
 
 
Earlene Grey
2003
 

Well, of course having tea will not solve all of our problems.  Of course not.  But if we start in our own small circle and discuss how to make the world better, that circle will spread out and we will make a difference.  The poem posted is an older one.  I dragged it out of my file because it just seemed to fit still.      Je suis Paris.  Je Suis le monde.     skp

À bientôt!   skp

The Secret Acknowledgement  
 
She looks up—when she remembers,
Not often enough, 
And thanks them
For helping,
For protecting,
For her space  
And place,
For caring, especially, as she is told
They do. 
 
Then she turns to her right,
Looks shoulder high,
An arm’s length away, and
Thanks her special one.
Sweetheart, is the name.
 
Then she asks for poetry,
If that be the promise,
And for peace
And protection,
If that be the way.
 
Then she smiles,
Inhales their response,
Looks back down,
And silently goes about her day.
 
 
Earlene Grey
10-2011

Not much to comment on here.  Please take whatever meaning you find.    I invite you to write and let me know what you think.  mailto:susan@earlenegrey.com   Best wishes. 😊

Every now and then Earlene Grey has a special sale for you!   ​Here is what we are offering this season:  Pairings of favorites books for just $15 for two books...and there is no charge for shipping!  To get your copies, go to:        
http://www.earlenegrey.com/specials.html


Musings With a Cuppa and Heart to Heart:   Now you can purchase Earlene Grey's two well loved tea poetry books together for the one low price of only US $15!

Musings With a Cuppa and Unnoticed Moments:   Get the best of both worlds, purchase the traditional tea poetry and the more  contemporary poetry together for the low price of
US $15!

Unnoticed Moments in Print and in Audio:   Read or listen to Susan Patterson's Unnoticed Moments, both as a book and audio CD, featuring 21 of the most favorite poems, for only US $15!

 Cheery-bye for now!  skp

If Enough of Us Believe…

It’s all too much
All of it.  
All of us.  

Well, anyway, it’s too much for
Me.

I will therefore deny today
And claim a future that
May not be,

But is mine to say.

I will think of the time when
Earth will not be run
Over by human animals,

Of the time when flora
Will be the means to fuel
Our existence.

When we will casually discuss
Weather and politics with the
Other creatures.

When we will not hit with our
Hands nor trample
With our feet  
Nor poison with
Our breath.

When we will be good.   

I will say, ‘It is coming.’  


Earlene Grey
July 2012

Sometimes I get pretty tired of hearing about the damage we humans have done and are doing to the Earth and its other inhabitants.  Yesterday, a young female deer was killed on our road.  There are plenty of signs that announce deer in the area.  Nevertheless, they often get hit and killed by fast or careless drivers.  Of course this is only one very small example of how we humans casually and foolishly run rough shod over the Earth.  So for now, I will think about and wait for a time when we are more civilized and take more care. Thanks for bearing with me.  ;-)   skp

Every now and then Earlene Grey has a special sale for you!   ​Here is what we are offering this season:  Pairings of favorites books...and there is no charge for shipping!  To get your copies, go to:         http://www.earlenegrey.com/specials.html


Musings With a Cuppa and Heart to Heart:   Now you can purchase Earlene Grey's two well loved tea poetry books together for the one low price of only US $15!

Musings With a Cuppa and Unnoticed Moments:   Get the best of both worlds, purchase the traditional tea poetry and the more  contemporary poetry together for the low price of
US $15!

Unnoticed Moments in  Print and Audio:   Read or listen to Susan Patterson's Unnoticed Moments, both as a book and audio CD, featuring 21 of the most favorite poems, for only US $15!

Take care.     skp