茶
Cruciform character; flowering daughter of orient Wisdom’s delight
A hymn to thee, beloved bush and Tree of Life, I raise.
May thy plucked leaves forevermore renew their gracious budding
Even as thy captured progeny produce, in death, thy praise
Like captive Hebrew exiles driven far from Zion’s hill
Loving still their Judge and punisher, recalling golden days…
In this cup of glorious elixir, infusing life with cheer
Asia’s attributes unveil, while I upon her marvels gaze.
Serenity enfolding, I forget all those before
In a rapturous caress I swiftly yield to her embraces
Nevermore to recall the ****** bean of Abyssinian lore
Ethiopian witch and desert hag, dark seed of nomadic races!
Now I hail the truth, whose leaf I love: L’chaim to the brew I adore
So sit with me and sip some cha. Let us kiss her myriad faces.
I scribe these lines in gratitude to that plant who soothes and inspires
Sweet Camellia, my love… I read in the leaves
your ascending triumphant traces.
No HEBREW root so well can suit ;
More quickly taught, less dearly bought.
Yet studied twice a day.
This leaf, from distant regions sprung,
Puts life into the female tongue.
And aids the cause of love.
Phillip Freneau
☺