The Wisdom of a Teacup
The Wisdom of a Teacup
What does a teacup know?
One fine dress is all you need.
Waiting gives you time to dream.
You are your best company.
What does a teacup know?
A steaming cup draws people in,
slows down time, and warms a chill.
Those well-loved bear a well-loved chip.
I’ve been enjoying this month’s celebration at Michelle Heidenrich Barnes’ Today’s Little Ditty. Each month Michelle invites a poet to give the rest of the poetry-writing community a challenge. In early January Joyce Sidman invited the writing of “deeper wisdom” poems, modeled after her beautiful example, “What Do the Trees Know?” Many writers have already accepted the challenge and written wonderfully about snow, wind, seeds, stars, even hens.
I thought I’d give it a try too, but I wanted to go in a different direction and explore something less grand and less natural. Perhaps because I spend the winter holding one, I went with teacup. I’m not that happy with the outcome (I’m ambivalent about the slant rhymes and the meter of the last line and the general level of abstraction.) but I did find myself saying to my daughter, “I know that because I’m a teacup,” which we both found absurdly hilarious. So, in honor of this poem, I’d like to propose a teacup toast to all those poems that don’t work out quite as well as we hoped they would.
For more Poetry Friday wisdom, visit Tara at A Teaching Life.
Look what’s in my saucer! These belonged to my husband’s grandmother. Aren’t they wonderful?
I love (and agree) that the wisdom of a teacup is true!
Teacups have a lot of time to observe and think and eavesdrop!
Let’s hear it for teacups! Winter’s favorite vessel of warmth, dolled up in that one fine dress. Well done, Liz. Well done. 🙂 I assume I can share this on TLD, right?
Of course. It was TLD that inspired it!
Oh, lifting a teacup toast back to you, Liz! And I quite love a wry last line. Or I find comfort in also bearing a chip or two. Or both. Thanks for sharing!
I agonized horribly over that last line, and though I don’t love the meter, I can’t seem to part with it.
Well I, for one, love your poem (and teacups)! And what a surprise on that saucer. Very cool.
Jama–I had a feeling you’d like this one!
I know what you mean, Liz, and yet the too-perfect poem may not inspire as much loyalty as the one that carries its chips gracefully. I’ve written about a kitchen object too–sent it to Michelle just now.
What about “own” before “best company”?
Well, that’s a very lovely reassurance. I will listen to you and the wise teacup. I think I went back and forth with “own,” putting it in, taking it out. I’ll reconsider. Again. Thanks for the suggestion.
What a beautiful teacup and saucer and celebration of the imperfect. I love this idea, “What does a _______know?” I may have to try that out and introduce it to students!
Holly, be sure to follow the links so you can see Joyce Sidman’s example and all the other deep wisdom poems. They are really quite wonderful.
I haven’t tried the wisdom poem, but I have enjoyed reading others’ attempts. I think your teacup poem is very cute. Thanks for sharing it here.
Thanks, Rosi. When you have a chance, give it a try. I enjoyed imagining I was a teacup and all I might have learned.
I am reading your poem as I sip a cup of tea, warming the chill away. I love the truth in this: “Waiting gives you time to dream.” Thanks for sharing!
Did you hear the story on NPR about the relationship between boredom and creativity and how we’re rarely bored any more because we’re always so quick to pull out our cell phones?
The teacup knows poetry! Beautiful poem – and the form fits it perfectly. Here’s to you…*clink*, sip, ahhhh! Happy Friday! =)
Thanks, Brigid! I’m so happy to have tea with you this afternoon.
I love this! The poem, the post, and the surprise saucer!
Hi Wendy! Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. It’s fun to see you here.
What a neat saucer! I like Heidi’s suggestion. I love your topic, Liz, your charming poem, and that you said “I know that because I’m a teacup”!
Thanks, Tabatha. That line makes me think of a way into a poem like this–introduce yourself to a partner as your object, talk about your day, and what you’ve learned about the world. I think that could lead to some pretty funny conversations.
Oh I love that squidly saucer–and your tea cup poem! Glad you decided to post it.
Thanks, Buffy. Do you think it’s a crayfish or a shrimp?
What a delicious rumination. I hope you don’t mind if I was inspired to add a stanza. What does the teacup know?/ Secrets the tealeaves whisper/ future peril before it unfolds/ it yearns to reveal, but can only conceal./ Isn’t it better we don’t know?
Oh, I think your teacup has a more mysterious life than mine!
LOL I wonder what my wine glass would say.
Hi Liz! I agonized while attempting my poem for the challenge too. You’re not alone! I’ve never seen a teacup/saucer quite like that one, what a fun hint at your husband’s grandmother’s personality! Thank you for sharing your work even if you think it’s not perfect. It’s the process that counts (and encourages me!)
Thanks Keri, I do think it’s important that we acknowledge the bumps in the road. It can be so tempting to imagine that the process is somehow easy for everyone else!
I’ve been fussing over a line in one of these poems, too, Liz. I love the content, but can’t make it all work. I love your ideas about teacups. With Mary Lee’s potato chips & now yours, I am inspired to try some “other” kinds of ideas.
I think if I was starting from scratch, I’d skip the rhyme. I look forward to seeing your “other” idea.
I’m lifting my teacup to you, Liz!
Thanks, Dori! It’s nice to share a cup of tea with you.
Isn’t fun to write these poems? And those teacups, lovely.
Good idea to use an object that has memories. I am still trying to figure out the deeper wisdom of a snow shovel.
Lovely Teacup poem! My mom has a collection of teacups and we love to share teatime. There are a few chips to be sure! Are you doing the Friday Poetry roundup today, Feb. 5? If so, here is my link: http://awrungsponge.blogspot.com/2015/02/trying-my-hand-at-villanelle.html. Thanks so much!