Tea with The Old Ones
There’s a knock at the door
who wants to come in
to this lodge on the cliff
built from diamonds and sin,
from feathers and seashells
from fishtails and farewells,
but the door's locked and bolted
and the kettle’s just on.
Walk up the path something
cut in the cliff;
the luck’s with the young
but they don’t make this trip.
Peer in the window
at the apple green firelight.
You might see a woman
stooped by the midnight,
or a ripple, a shadow
a trick of the moonglow
a face drawn on water
blue lit from below.
Is it tea that she’s drinking,
Is it real that she’s winking?
Or is the room empty
and everyone gone?
Some leave
without asking.
Some stay
for the tasking
and some stay to sup,
but for tea
with the Old Ones
you need your own cup.
October 2010
Posted for Open Link Night at dVerse Poets Pub
Doors are open and link in is live till tomorrow at midnight EST. Come join us for our lucky 13th OLN. I am the ghostess with the mostess tonight for your poetrying pleasure.
What sly voodoo are you up to here, Witch? I shall have to come back when it isn't some weird hour of the morning and read again. But I can say that I love the third stanza particularly, and also the "magical mystery tea" label!
ReplyDeleteIt's good that you stay in the brew in that green glow, so I can keep reading these verse tales of yours. I love the imagery in this scary room, and the watery midnight (stooped by the midnight!) tea could be anything I might not care to drink. But I'll stay for the tasking anyway. You can't make me leave, no matter how much you frighten me!
ReplyDelete:-)
Why am I thinking I'm having tea with Cthulhu? If so then I think I'll pass. Don't want a fishtail thank you very much. :P
ReplyDeleteGood stuff, Joy.
bwahaha...the rhythm to this is enchanting...the visuals a bit eerie...but then why is it i am going to get my cup....
ReplyDeleteThis is a wonderful piece, filled with delightful images!
ReplyDeleteOh, we are going to have fun this month ... what could be more delightful frightful and fraught than a cuppa tay with the Old Ones? I love the way the speaker works from both sides of the door (as in yesterday's "Revenant"): this location is way out there way down inside, and the ritual of lent and meant, and the visit one we make and are visited by. And what is this place made of but (YES!) "diamonds and sin,/from feathers and seashells/from fishtails and farewells" -- what else but the thought of the dreaming heart? I also love the undburdened levity of tone, bum history chucked at the shore like a selkie's skin, just the mystery, the fun, the helluvit. Some magic as much about cure as providing, as Ed Sullivan would say, a really good shew. - Brendan
ReplyDelete@FB: Roll up!Because it's coming to take you away.;-)
ReplyDelete@skav: Ha! But the first cup is free!
@Ruth: There's no need to leave--in fact, there's a chair by the fire for you here always. You may have a recipe I could use, too.
@B: Under almost every mask that myth puts on the sorceress/crone, there's a healer. One shouldn't forget that while brewing and stewing.And there seems to be no limit to her powers--Isis sewing up the severed parts of Osiris cast to the four winds, and warming them to life--of a different kind perhaps, but you have to pay your dues, don't you? Thanks for coming by for a cuppa.
I love this one so much, especially "for tea with the Old Ones, you need your own cup. Sigh. What a wonderful poem!
ReplyDeleteNice poem. But don't fancy tea with Cthulhu. I'm gonna stick with Loki, my one and only! :)
ReplyDeletebut for tea
ReplyDeletewith the Old Ones
you need your own cup...is this about death hedge..?
such mysterious images - the young don't make the trip... after all sounds like a comfortable place to be somehow
The photo of the open tea pot is as mysterious as the poem. I'd bring my cup and fill it up with more than tea.
ReplyDeletethere is magic in this, I like it, and I would come to tea...'you need your own cup' hmmm
ReplyDelete'Peer in the window
at the apple green firelight.
You might see a woman
stooped by the midnight'
Why do diamonds and sin sound so seductive...This might be my second favorite poem of yours after Oxygen Vine.
ReplyDeleteI love this wonderfully rhythmical poem!
ReplyDeleteIt reminds me of children's stories from years ago, I wish I could remember which ones...
Lovely, thanks for sharing :)
I am so bringing a cup...
ReplyDeleteDefinitely eeerie. Reflects mood of the season. Those that 'stay for the tasking' are made of stern stuff. Better them than me!
ReplyDeleteOh My you, Lady Hedgewitch, transport us up ....so above and so earthly-one gets into a dream, the land of the alive and the dead
ReplyDeleteMixing it all the way you do...I can see myself by the window, mug in hand- Just loved it
"Of fishtails and farewells"
ReplyDeleteI love that.
For a moment there, I thought I was at the Hotel California.
Love the colors and the singing rhythm in this verse, also the way you work both sides of the door with such apparent ease.
ReplyDelete"the luck’s with the young
but they don’t make this trip"
-seems to be key: you appeal to the maturity and courage of the reader, but I hope there's caffeine in that tea!
Thanks all. Much appreciated. Now I need to get back to your poems.
ReplyDelete@Mark: Almost always, except when I need some Red Zinger.Thanks for reading.
@Ann: So glad you liked it and are adding it to your favorites.
Lol ..Hmm...I'm bringing my own cup! Love the rhyming flow to this...a great fairytale to scare the children with! ;)
ReplyDeletei think i want to meet these old ones. hope they have cammomile.
ReplyDeleteAwesome write Joy. There is a sense of magnetism here, and the role of the healer I have to admit I overlooked at first but definitely noticed it's presence after reading your comment. The whole piece works in unison but I can't help but love the questions posed-wonderfully played. A true delight to read, thanks
ReplyDeleteVery interesting read. I love word play and reading between the lines...
ReplyDeleteAlaurilee
As an Englishman you had me at Tea.
ReplyDeleteThis is a great joy.
From fish tails and farewells - through to the sound and significant final stanza loved it.
You had me tea!
"or a ripple, a shadow
ReplyDeletea trick of the moonglow
a face drawn on water
blue lit from below."
these lines are my favorite... do love the little place you took us to
I love this, Joy. wonderful write.
ReplyDeleteOh, you've reminded me I want to write an ode to my apothecary cabinet (something about tiny drawers sends me into fits of happiness).
ReplyDeletea trick of the moonglow
a face drawn on water
blue lit from below.
This poem made me clamor to the window to get a better look. Like all the wondrous secrets are in there but I haven't yet gotten that guided invitation in the mail. Guess I'll have to follow a wiser being some fog infused day up the winding path. I’m off to see if the mouse will be my stealthy partner since she already has a disguise; loved it.
That's *gilded*
ReplyDeleteThere's a knock on the door
ReplyDeletewho wants to come in
to this lodge on the cliff
built from diamonds and sin,
I do! I do!! You had me from the beginning. Love how you wove those words...truly as if you were casting a spell. I could picture it so beautifully! Glad I joined in tonight!!
Wow this is what they call poetry and mystical and a little spooky. Beautiful. I enjoy it so.
ReplyDeleteI love that tea pot. You had some amazing flow here. I really like.
ReplyDeleteVery charming (the end especially) with lovely lilt.
ReplyDeletei was drawn in, feeling a bit like Gretel, but wanting to be there just the same... lovely.
ReplyDeleteLOVE this section:
ReplyDelete"Peer in the window
at the apple green firelight.
You might see a woman
stooped by the midnight,"
~Shawna (iamthat-shawna.blogspot.com)
Now this piece is a nice moon filled mystery. You yet again seize on personal symbolism to prove once more you are the sage proclaimed in my e-mail.
ReplyDeleteWonderful write, it was something I expect to hear sung around a fire at night as children drift to sleep.
@LV: Thank you--that's one of the coolest compliments I've had. They would become twisted little tykes, but happy ones, wouldn't they? (And I loved your dreamy skies, in case I didn't gush sufficiently about it at your place.)
ReplyDeleteThe old biddy doesn't scare me...I like her. I would have a cuppa with her any time. Loved this poem. I could almost dance to the rhythm. :))
ReplyDeleteOh so fits the season of autumn -the rhyme is a great to enjoy with the tea. Glad to be back reading. Have been busy of late....bkm
ReplyDeletewish I could hear your voice reading this...
ReplyDeleteseems there would be a magical lilt in your voice... enticing. I love my own cup =)
This is enchanting. Its flows like steady waters. and liked the title :)
ReplyDeleteAn invitation to drink deeply...enchantment, knowledge,ecstacy...you're right, I think: we old(er) ones are more likely to get it. A very nice mood/mystery piece.
ReplyDeleteGood One!
ReplyDeleteLike this.
the poem musically rolls along off the tip of the tongue.
like this:
from feathers and seashells
from fishtails and farewells,
makes me ponder: just Who, are these Old Ones? Hmmm.
good poem. Thank you.
Brilliant as usual. Hope I end my days with countless cups of tea by 'apple green firelight.'
ReplyDeleteWhat an evocative image.
Thank you also for your perceptive comments on 'Ascent.' Truly appreciated. Hugs, James.
I am seeing one of those temples in tibet or somewhere that hangs on a cliff. I love the tone of this poem, feeling of serenity. It also sort reminds me of my grandfather who was tea merchant of sorts and used to have his own tea shop. Making and drinking tea was a sort of art form and a ritual of the mind in some ways. "Bring your own cup" to be filled. :) Enjoyed this very much. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteThat is one refreshing poem.. aurally and visually superb .. I'm leaving wanting more.. :)
ReplyDeleteJoy, I could almost feel physically by the cliffs enjoying a widescreen splash in front. Great!
ReplyDeleteHank
Hedge: this is so Cu Chullinn to me....somewhere in those apples!
ReplyDeleteThe deceptive simplicity of tone and wording pulls one in and you don't struggle at all.
That tea? A mystical, healing brew I think...like your poetry.
What also strikes me with this poem is the distance, the versitility of 'place'. Each of us can 'set' this poem where they draw the most significance. It transcends time and place, and that is what the best of poetry does.
Hugs,
Jane
Thank you Jane. A truly valued compliment.
ReplyDeleteThanks all--sorry not to be able to chat more here with you this time, but hope you know I've read and appreciated everyone's feedback. Many thanks for stopping and reading on a busy night.
ooohhh, a fairy tale rhyme that is as sinister-feeling as Hansel and Gretel :) Your writing is getting me very excited for Halloween - I bet you have some more tales up your sleeve this month ;)
ReplyDeleteReally cool poem. I love the lilting rhymes and the ending is perfect - "bring your own cup".
ReplyDeleteHad tea with Bridget and W.B. Yeats once. Evoked them on a strange, candlelit evening. So of course this one made me think of that night.
ReplyDeleteThis is all very magickal and mysterious and I love it! That teapot looks perfect for virtual brew. And I have my own cup, and it has the faces of poets upon it -- the Old Ones, perhaps?
I think I must have been reading too much Lovecraft of late. As I read the title, I must confess my mind immediately jumped to: "Cthulu!" A great pause followed, possibly by a face palm.
ReplyDeleteA lovely and invigorating verse all the same; the gentle rhymes, the enchanting rhythm of mystery - splendid show.
such a wonderful tea part and reminds me of the tea houses in China and the time to sit and share a pot of tea
ReplyDeletehttp://gatelesspassage.com/2011/10/11/the-day-of-the-dead/#comment-1682
@Chris: No such thing as reading too much Lovecraft, especially in the month of All Hallows. And there are as many Old Ones available in this particular hut as you want to see there.Thanks for stopping by.
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of the story books I used to read when I was young, lovely :)
ReplyDeleteI enjoy the mystical feel of this one. You've told the story in such a way that I feel like I made it up the path and am peering in the window. Yes, I'd love some tea.
ReplyDeleteHa! I want tea... or do I?
ReplyDeleteGreat flow and images!
I do love this. It leaves a sense of mystery and longing to know the secrets of the old.
ReplyDeleteTotally eerie Miss Joy! In the apple green firelight is it real what you're seeing? Is that her face or reflection in ripples? Is she drinking? Winking? Now the room's empty? Something definitely is brewing in that cottage on the cliff..... And though I am old, Miss Hedgewitch, for this evening I will stick with the young! Spooky things happening in Verse Escape.......
ReplyDeleteooohhh...love this, Joy. I could see the cobbled path, traveling amongst the herbs and overgrown mysteries to drink tea with the crone..yes, please!
ReplyDelete(sidebar...I wrote my offering a week ago and sat on it...so glad I waited for a dVerse you were hosting as I thought of you after I wrote it...it does speak HW...smile) ~
built from diamonds and sin....that phrase just caught me...it is a prompt in itself.
ReplyDeleteoh i am always ready for tea, anytime.
ReplyDeleteA celestial celebration taken to a place as old as fairy tales, myths ubiquitous; shape shifting, a cottage of paradoxes enticing, and rejecting. Calling to our deepest needs and fears. Done in rhyme in your own inimitable style. You are a witch - a wondrous white one!
ReplyDeleteThank you Gay--thanks for reading and stopping by in a time when i know you have a very full plate, in all ways. Best to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteAs my husband Beautyseer said...we had tea one night with Bridet and Yeats and so this brings back those memories.
ReplyDeleteLove the sound and images. Great work!
Excellent poem!
ReplyDeletestolen moments
Lead in stanza is just a knockout. This piece has a great flow and sensory experience. Sorry for taking so long on my reply...time was difficult for me as of late. Great write my friend ~ Rose
ReplyDelete