Tea Ceremony

the panel slides behind her -
closed flower, neverblossom -
the young maiden sits down
at the core of the tea room
where the flowering ritual is set

the warm kettle, decorated and set aside
the cup, poured and steaming deep green
the small dagger, faint blue steel all watery

beginning, she grabs the blade and unrobes
running it along her pale wrists, drawing
a wild forest, now raining and sprouting roots
it hovers over the cup, dripping dew inside
and the misty steam turned red bites

the deep voice grumbles and echoes
out of the small rippling vessel
and the maiden bows
“thank you / yes / thank you /
i apologise / yes / yes / thank you”
and paying her due respects
she drinks full

----------

8/2022