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

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

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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



                                         ♨︎

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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

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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

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

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

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Cheery-bye!     skp