19 people, 19 teabowls

They arrive, their cheeks flushed. . .

Tony

after dancing through snowy landscapes

Tish

and trekking up the slippery path to the cabin.

Tim

it is warm inside.

i have been tending the fire since early morning.

Simon

i help them off with boots, coats, scarves, mittens

and ask them to choose a bowl . . .  

Nyx

then we sit, face to face

Shira

as i pour tea

Monel

and we drink 

looking into each others' eyes,

Meara

sharing a few moments.

Karen

We are surrounded by images of other hands

from previous encounters

 each pair of hands holding a bowl.

Daniel

And we listen to their stories 

and to the sound of tea being poured.

Julia

We talk of tea memories, 

of those we've shared tea with 

mothers, fathers, lovers, aunts, grandparents. . .

Judy

of those who came from other lands. . .

from Ireland, England, Russia, Korea, Azerbajian . . .

where tea time was precious . . .  

Hilary

a time to connect

a time to relax

 a time to share the day

to laugh, to cry, to comfort, to celebrate . . . 

Gary

nineteen people

five minutes with each.

David

a brief connection. . .

but each one profound.

Avi

and as each person moves on.

they leave behind a trace,

a memory,

a bit of themselves

Davi

 that i continue to carry

into the day,

into this day.

each person,

each encounter,

so very precious. . . 

and still very much alive

in this heart.