April Tea ’24

From Jean K:

Thank you for welcoming Chloe to our practice today. I think she will enjoy learning
more about how to fold the fukusa when she and I practice together. We are leaving you all
now to work on the garden. Many spring blessings to all!!

From Lesley M:

we are making tea…looking down and looking up…spring and autumn both

From Kim C:

Friends arrive unexpectedly/ when one lifts one’s gaze/ Me turns into Mwe.

From Gerow R:

Following this morning’s rain/ Snow arrived—purifying, delighting/ This noontime tea.

From Kathy L:

not really a poem. thinking of “We” and the phrase Ichiza Konryu which loosely
translates to “one seating building up” It’s a phrase which speaks to the host and guest being
respectful of and in tune with each other during a tea gathering. Even though there is a host
and there is a guest, these boundaries can blur and energies can be co-mingled. fascinating.
Tea. thank you all.

From William S:

Seeing – through my eyes/ through my ears/ through my hands/ through heart
connections/ seeking the universe beyond the visible…

From JBA:

As I whisk tea, I feel the presence of others making tea and we come together as one.

From Kim C:

Sunlight brightens this frothy bowl/ Slurp, slurp , monster bowl of hot tea/ One tear
remains/ puddled on the tray

From Chad O:

Spring tea with Koji/ my womb is warm and alive/ Everything is growing!

From Kay H:

Bowl is now empty / Today’s tea a memory / Folded into my fukusa.

From Randy W:

in the company of friends / all whisking away / the wind chimes continue their concert
all around us

September Tea ’23

  From Gerow Drinking tea/The shifting of the season’s light/ Illumines this double autumn. From Siddiq Approaching the gate / What can I look forward to? /  Never mind those thoughts!   From Deborah Summer to Autumn in 24 hours here; joining friends for...

August Tea ’23

  From Deborah MN First time at the library. Quite noisy and distracting. Fun though to join you even late.   From Karima Thank you soooo much for this beautiful tea time together! Must go.   From Kate I begin in uncertainty, slowly, my hands remember   From Jean...

REMEMBERING – The Old Lama Kitchen

Lama children on the steps of the Old Kitchen (1981).  Arielle, Asha (Bernard) and Jamil inside the kitchen (1981). Photos offered by Asha and Uwais Old Lama Kitchen - A few memories By Irit Umani, June 2023 When I think of Lama’s Old Kitchen, my mind almost...

June Tea ’23

  From Chad Being in NO tea/my body needing to rest/I become a guest. ( thank you) From Jean the glob, it sinks, it floats, it pulls us in, but like healing everywhere, just add a bit of hotwater, whisk and drink, and all of your cares will be gone. From Lesley...

May Tea ’23

From Gerow Purification... Meeting life as it is.... Acceptance orrecognition of the present moment... Respect.... Sense of freedom from "shoulds"   From Karen (who remembered this from another Lama Tea poet) Rains arrived... fire turns tosteam... renewal   From Deb...

April Tea ’23

    From Kathy While turning the compost pile at the retreat yesterday, I remembered this poemBy Sasaki Sanmi “Taking a break, resting my chin on the hoe, I sense the hoe’s strongattachment to this field” From Sakina holding each other gently / we share the...

March Tea ’23

From Ravi Austin through the universeeach space, each planet, each timeMatcha & me From Siddiq Hans von Briesen WE are found objectsWashed ashore in the sea of lifeGrateful to be alive. From Deborah MN Awe, the change of seasons, tea, remarkable and humbling32...

February Tea ’23

What courage, each year, has the treeto once again birth her leaves,her pink cherry blossoms or delicate dogwood petals,knowing in days, weeks or months,they will wither and fall to the ground.So, too, the crocus or tulip,who struggles through the frozen...

Preparation

Poems written by participants of Lama Tea, June 2, 2022 Prepare to face the moment, just how it happens. — Karen Higgins our attentive preparations join hands with the ringing clash of the unexpected past meets future two hands blessed and blessing — Lesley Maclean...

September Tea

Hopping bunny stops To sniff a morning glory Vining through lettuce — Tracy Cates Return to tea, Return to friends. Love and blessings everyone! — Kate Shane glowing jars of autumn bounty bunny madonnas crickets at my window it's autumn! — Kathy Lyons Hippity HOPPING,...