The Trick is to Eliminate 
The Differences
 
 
Some believe the Earth whirls through space
Turning to perpetually right itself.
Others know the Earth is flat and constant. 
 
Some believe study is the tool of enlightenment,
And discovery a necessity. 
Others trust what is told to them by their elders.
 
A few of us do the talking while
A great many of us are listening in fear. 
 
A few of us have more
Than the rest of us put together.
 
Some partake of the daily fill,
Others never have enough.
 
Some say we have come far
From the darkness of our ignorance.
Others say we haven’t even
Left the caves. 
 
 
Susan Patterson
02-2014
 
 

There are so many different theories and beliefs about who we humans are, how we got here on Earth and what we are supposed to do now that we are here.  As yet, we don't seem to understand the big picture.  It is possible that we are learning...or beginning to learn...or wanting to begin to learn?  Here's to taking steps to the right understanding for all of us.  skp

Clearing Out the Clutter
 
I am happily putting away childish things.
Things like the jack-in-the-box
Which frightened me so many times,
But that I still kept winding up
To see if it came out the same.   
 
I’m putting away the cat’s cradle string that I
Bound myself to so tightly, I could not let go.
Away goes the ball that I had when I so often said,
‘It’s mine and if you won’t play the
Way I want, I will take it and go home.’ 
 
Out go the toy traumas in boxes, some of
Which are in the original packing material. 
The top that spun me around for years
Has been stopped. 
I’m putting away happy toys too.  A few of them
I’ve never wanted to share, and now they are
Too old to play with. 
 
I’ve saved too many relics from my childhood.
There are fears and hurts and hopes and dreams
Which need to be put into their rightful spot.
It’s time to do so, maybe passed time. 
It’s getting late.
Mom and Dad would be so pleased
That I am finally cleaning up the place. 
 
 
Earlene Grey
11-2011

Is it time for spring cleaning?  Is it time for spring?  We, in Oregon, are not so patiently waiting for the springtime weather.  It will come, and then summer weather. And then we will be whining about the heat.  Such is the human nature. 

But this poem is not about whining or waiting.  It is about taking action. It is about cleaning up the junk in our psyche.  Of course, the whole piece is a metaphor about memories, fears and other such childhood issues.  Sometimes we hang on to those negative impressions far too long.  True, we may have been hurt, even brutalized.  I cannot minimize some trauma.  But at some point, we, as adults, can choose our own direction- away from childhood negatives, big or small.  Spring cleaning. 

The award winning, The Tea House Time Magazine, will begin printing a new column by Susan Patterson.  The column, entitled Tea is Poetry Poured, will make its debut in the May/June 2017 issue.  Each column will feature a poem, of course, and then relevant commentary.  The Tea House Times is available both in print and in digital version.  Publisher, Gail Gastelu, is a leader in the tea industry and her magazine is a must for up to date and accurate tea information and passions.  We invite you to take and look, and oh, yes, read our column.  🤗

Please visit The Tea House Times at www.theteahousetimes.com/

Moments Not Remembered
 
It is the little things we do
That make up a life.
 
Big things create memories,
But daily minutia
Begets quality.
 
It is noticing the weather.
Asking of a friend.
Clearing one’s space,
Caring for the kin.
 
Big things can be life changing.
Little things are life growing.
 
 
Susan Patterson  
03-2011

Here is a little poem that has a punch, in a good way.  We often get so wound up in making a big decision, having a significant impression or leaving a legacy that we forget about the fact that many small impressions might just do the trick in making a lasting impact. 

This poem can be found in the Susan Patterson book, "Unnoticed Moments".  www.earlenegrey.com/

The weather is turning in much of the world.  Might it be a sign that humanity is changing as well?  Hope so.  😊

From Time to Time
There is a Waiting
 
 
I knew I loved you
When we first met.
I also knew I had
Loved you before.
 
But we were busy and
The choice to be
Together was not
Ours to make. 
 
No matter.
There is a patience.
I know we will
Love again, and
In more ways than
I can now count.
In more ways than
This life
Can comprehend. 
 
 
Susan Patterson
02-2017
 
 

Okay, this is the last of my love poems.  You will have to wait for the next book, Passions, to come out to read them again.  Spring arrives next week.  Let's welcome the next season with all the many loves and passions that we have in us. 

How many times do we read of love stories where one person is in love with two people at the same time and has to make a choice.  Or, when one person has a job he or she must keep and has to put off love?  Or how about when one person has children to raise and cannot take time for a new love?  There might be many reasons we have to put off personal or romantic love.  It is not always a bad thing to do.  Usually it is a very difficult thing to do.  Those who do not, or did not have to make the choice, are fortunate, indeed.   I salute those of you who did have to make this onerous choice.     skp

Not Just Survival--Better
 
We cast them out,
Those who are different.
That is how we survive. 
We keep only those who are like us and
Who are fierce and powerful. 
That is how we become stronger.
 
But it is not how we become better.
We make ourselves so
By keeping in our circle,
Those who are of different persuasions,
Who are different handed,
Whose face is tanned,
Whose hair is reddened,
Who do not see,
Who do not understand,
Who cannot walk,
Those who sing and dance
By their own thoughts and music.
 
Those are the ones
Who make us better. 
 
 
Susan Patterson
4-2012
 
 

I had forgotten about this little poem.  Apparently it is not published in any of my books.  That is too bad.  I kind of like this one.  With today's current concerns and social climate, it is interesting to think of how we might all be... together. 

We have just come home from a sojourn to Victoria, British Columbia in Canada.  Usually snow does not fall the first week in March.  However, this view from our window shows how Mother Nature, even in Canada, can be capricious.  We loved every minute of it.  And we certainly appreciated our hot cup of tea. 

The Usual
Protestations
 
 
‘To you my dear.’
A cup of tea is lifted
Out of respect
And in love. 
 
‘No, no, no to you!’
A glass of wine
Is raised
In dissent.    
 
They bicker
Back and forth
In mock challenge,
Neither of them
Prevailing in the
Comic dispute. 
 
It doesn’t matter
Who is victorious.   
Such battles are common,
In their very uncommon life. 
 
 
Susan Patterson

Ah, another love poem.  Soon I will get off of this subject and maybe post a thoughtful poem about the bravery of women; or possibly a sweet poem about tea; or a intellectual poem about the foibles of humanity.  All have spilled from my pen over the last dozen years or so. But for right now, I am finding love poems in the Causerie files. Could  It  be that a few love poems might help us all?   
Your poet, skp

 
Therefore, It Works
 
She protects him by telling everything
And by telling nothing at the same time.
 
He bears witness to her injuries
And salves her wounds with silence.
 
She goes before and clears the way.
He comes along side and picks up pieces. 
 
He supplies the where with all.
She fashions the breadth of beauty.
 
She has made him safe from the cruel.
He has made her safe from the fools.
 
 
Susan Patterson

We all fit in to a variety of relationships.  In one group we might be the organizer.  In another, we might be the spiritual leader.  In a couple, we might fill several roles, and so might our partner.  Whatever our role or position, let us do our work with diligence and appreciation.  skp

À bientôt!   skp

Something Wonderful
Upon Which to Ponder
 
 
We sleep together,
Like spoons, as they say. 
Your chest and my back,
Leaning against each other
In perfect match and comfort.
Our hands rest upon each other’s
Thighs. Our feet are intertwined. 
 
Ten thousand years from now
I will remember the sense
And the warmth of you.
Twenty thousand years from
Now, I will hear your heart beat
And feel you breathe.
 
Thousands of ages after that,
Whether we are together
Or not,
I will remember your touch
And feel your warmth
And know your strength. 
 
It will be as if
We were always
As one,
And for that,
I am grateful. 
 
 
Susan Patterson
03-2016

It seems that there will always be things we remember...a parade which we saw as a child, our mother's hand, our first kiss.  There maybe some bad memories too.  We won't mention them.   However, here is hoping that the most important and helpful memories come to our mind and keep us on a course of happiness.  skp

Please join me for Afternoon Tea in Keizer, Oregon.  This is a         fundraiser for  the community library.  I will be there enjoying tea and reading to the audience some of the favorite poems from my collection. Quite possibly I will read a little from my new saucy poetry offerings!  Something you won't want to miss, I am sure.  ;-) 

The date and time is February 19th, 2017 at 3:30 pm.   Call 503.363.4548, for more information.  Reservations only. 

If you enjoy books, local authors and tea, then come for a wonderful time.  Tickets are very reasonably priced at $25.00.   This is a yearly event that is extremely popular, so buy your tickets right away.

Call 503.363.4548 for reservations. 

A Singular Kind of Love
 
They were so close
One would think
That at times, their souls
Mingled in each other’s bodies.  
Their thoughts were often,
Intertwined even when their arms,  
Were not.      
 
When separated,
Either for a moment
Or for a millennium,
Neither was quite sure
Of the time spent because,
They were never
Truly apart. 
 
 
Susan Patterson 

Well, this is a lovely thought...that some people are so close time doesn't matter.  It might be true.  It might be so of friends, parents and children, siblings and most certainly of couples.  How wonderful to be so known, so accepted that the souls mingle together.  skp

📚📚📚

Keep warm if you are up north, stay cool if you are down under.  Happy days!  skp

And I Will Blanket You
 
It is winter and time for hibernation.
Turn your back to the wind.
Lean low and feel the
Earth cooling,
Resting from delivery.
Another year will come and her
Returning warmth will waken us.
But right now, let us bide,
Lie down and slumber at her side.
 
Susan Patterson
2-2011

Some people like to work.  Working is good and a magical cure for any number of problems.  There are times, however when working is just an activity, nothing more.  Maybe that is the time to bide, lay low and rest. 

We are currently snowed in.  Even though we only have inches, here in Oregon inches are enough to stop all rational activity.  There is usually a solid layer of ice underneath of that snow.  We are told to stay home.  So, home it is. With beautiful visions of white. With quiet neighborhoods.  With a mental rest from the hoopla of the world.  I hope that you can have time to bide and slumber beside the earth, rest awhile while waiting for spring.   skp

   Musings With a Cuppa-The Poetry of Tea

   This is my first book, and still a very popular item.  Since 2004, when we first  published, there have been a number of versions printed.  And, the internet is full of them.  But, we at the Earlene Grey company have the absolute best version.  Newly edited and printed, it is the perfect gift for tea lovers.  The illustrations are exquisite. The poetry is perfect.  The book is beautiful. 

   Why not stock up now?  If you are interested in wholesale pricing, we can offer you very good deals.  For wholesale pricing, email info@EarleneGrey.com

  You will find this version only on the Earlene Grey website. www.EarleneGrey.com