Tea being picked on a plantation in India. Most of the tea we drink is hand picked by women.
A good cup of tea is calming and energizing. One Source (Variations From One Root)
Tea comes in many variations,
And so do we.
We naively think
There are many different kinds.
There are not.
Assam, Oolong, Earl Grey, English Breakfast,
Asian, Negroid, Hispanic,
Mongol, Caucasian.
Tea comes from one plant. One root.
And so do we.
We think, “Oh, this is a different tea.”
It is not.
Just grown in a different place.
Just brought up differently.
Let us then not forgo
The enjoyment of our own
Human variations,
Sometimes grown in a different place,
Brought up differently.
Variations from one root.
Susan Patterson
2003
Tea comes in many variations,
And so do we.
We naively think
There are many different kinds.
There are not.
Assam, Oolong, Earl Grey, English Breakfast,
Asian, Negroid, Hispanic,
Mongol, Caucasian.
Tea comes from one plant. One root.
And so do we.
We think, “Oh, this is a different tea.”
It is not.
Just grown in a different place.
Just brought up differently.
Let us then not forgo
The enjoyment of our own
Human variations,
Sometimes grown in a different place,
Brought up differently.
Variations from one root.
Susan Patterson
2003
Audio of Variations From One Root
Discussion on Variations From One Root
James and I have just returned from the World Tea Exposition, this year held in Long Beach, California. Bear with me then, and a Causerie referencing tea. Thousands of tea professionals from all around the world attend this annual event and it is impressive. You have never seen so much tea and tea paraphernalia in your life. From Russia to Africa, tea is grown around the globe. It has been the source of energy and good health for centuries. Wars have been waged because tea, and yet civility has been established over it. All tea comes from on plant, camellia sinensis. Who would have thought one little specie of a little bit of nothing could cause so much folderol? Kind like us, isn't it?
Book sales...pictured is Susan Patterson reading her poetry to a visitor at the World Tea Expo.
A huge thank you to Gail Gastelu of the Tea House Times for hosting Susan, not only at the convention, but in Gail's magazine as well. Susan's tea poetry has been spotlighted in the Tea House Times for almost ten years.
http://www.theteahousetimes.com/
▶Please dear Lord, if I haven't been faithful enough to make it to heaven, at least let me make it to a good teashop. Earlene Grey
James and Susan Patterson enjoying an evening out. Indulge me. Right is a photo of James and Susan Patterson just before a formal dinner aboard the ocean liner, Queen Mary. The event included an awards ceremony honoring some of the best professionals in the tea industry. The food was great, the wine outstanding and of course the tea, supplied by Harney and Sons tea, was top notch. And yes, there was dancing...just a little in the corner by James and Susan. Ahhhhh.
Tea planted on the hill sides and carefully tended to producing the best quality leaves.
Happy halcyon days to you! skp
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