Storming in tea-cups by Meena Kandaswamy
“a cup of tea is not a cup of tea. . .
when you make it at twilight,
just for him.”
call it a love potion.
liquid dreams.
scented desire.
wishes boiled to a blend.
three cinnamon pods
the dried darjeeling leaves
milk and pearl-white cream
simmering to a syrup to be filtered.
as you sweat in its vapours
and imagine how the tea tastes
against his lips his teeth his tongue
and the pale pink insides of his throat
as you stir in the sugar
and test a spoonful to see
if it stings and soothes and
stimulates the way you intended
as you pour it into his cup
with eyes mirroring supernovas and
study the desirable brown of the tea
an entire shade
that fits exactly
between the desert sand of your skin
and the date palm of his.
almost the color
of your possible child. Art by Gerard Tonti (who paints with tea and coffee)
Recommended listening: Vibrations - Django Django Radiohead - The Numbers: Jonny, Thom & a CR78 Links of the Day: Great Big Story The School of Life TBI Book Map of India: Around India in 34 Incredible Books 5 Astonishing Uses of Tea Bags (Wishing you and your family a Happy Diwali! :) Hope you have a blast, eat lots, and be safe. Good day!)