Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CHINA TEA SET, by BERTYE YOUNG WILLIAMS


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CHINA TEA SET, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: A china tea set -- just to own
Last Line: No friends were left to drink the tea.
Alternate Author Name(s): Williams, B. Y.
Subject(s): Cups; Food & Eating; Tea


A China tea set -- just to own,
A China tea set was her dream --
Dear fragile cup, quaint little bowl,
A cunning pitcher for the cream!

So graciously she'd pour the tea,
Her friends would chatter bright and gay,
"Such perfect tea! Such lovely cups!
I'm glad I happened in today!"

But he to whom her life was joined
Thought money would be better spent
For land, for implements and stock --
And to his will her will was bent.

His toil and gain were all for her --
And when the two were old and gray,
That she might have no wish denied
He brought the tea things home one day.

Dear fragile cups, quaint little bowl --
She thanked him with her patient smile.
She placed them in a shining row,
Admired them a little while,
Then packed them all away, you see,
No friends were left to drink the tea.





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