This is how you make tea

I still remember

The aromatic preparation

Of tea

In the kitchen I stood in

As a child.

The saucepan on a burner,

Water, milk and spices

Coming to a gentle simmer,

Then black tea

Darkening the fragrant mixture

Of sweet sublime.

You

Poured me a cup of my own,

Watching as I drank your tea

In your sunlit kitchen.

Your dark eyes

Smiled

As I sipped from

Your cup of warmth

And friendship.

This is how you make tea,

You said.

J. Hamilton