Hi James,
I like this, but feels it needs another line or two for a proper ending -
soemthing about taking the first sip of tea - to complete the story of the
ritual?
Cheers,
Frank
> No, I don't go as far back as Lyons tes shops. This is on one of the
> Japanese Ways that go back three hundred years or so.
>
> ENTRY TO THE TEA-ROOM
>
> Bent low
> I slide into the tea-room,
> move carefully towards the alcove
> in a corner;
> lower to my knees, bow fully before it on the floor
> and meditate on the ikebana there.
>
> In the slender ceramic vase
> sprouts a branch abundant with red berries
> against a copper foliage
> sprinkled with pearls of dew.
>
> After another, slighter bow,
> I take my place beside
> the guest who entered before me.
>
> We all sit on four and a half
> tatami mats,
> backs to the shoji
> that close the tea-room off
> from the garden.
>
>
>
> bw
> James
>
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