We who with songs beguile your pilgrimage / And swear that Beauty lives though lilies die, / We Poets of the proud old lineage / Who sing to find your hearts, we know not why ... (James Elroy Flecker)

18.7.25

Cheers

 
















She brings me 

mandarin liqueur,

the fruit grown

in her own garden. 


I pour it into

a crystal sherry glass.

(All my liqueur glasses 

are broken or lost – except 

the one I keep as a chalice

in my travelling altar:


a sandalwood box with also

a tiny dagger, incense,

a round white stone, 

a small quartz point,

a woven cloth

to set them out on…)

 

The texture is lush, the taste

bursts on the roof of my mouth

both rich and delicate, spicy

and sweet. I breathe it in.




Sharing with dVerse Open Link Night #388 And, as I was late that  time and most people missed it, again at Open Link Night #392.


20 comments:

  1. Cheers! Thanks for sharing that sensory experience of the madarin liqueur.

    ReplyDelete
  2. A sensory delight! I don't think I've ever had mandarin liqueur.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I had never had it before. I think it may have been my friend's own recipe.

      Delete
  3. How delicious that sip seems and a wonderful glimpse of your cheers moment - Jae

    ReplyDelete
  4. Rituals and treasures, the loving ornaments of life!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Oh my goodness, I needs me some of this mandarin elixir!! *smacks lips*

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I think we all do! But not generally available and I don't know the recipe.

      Delete
  6. Sounds like a tasty potion. Perhaps, it could heal our weary hearts.

    ReplyDelete
  7. Some things are only memories packed in that traveling altar - but there's a chalice to recall it and this poem to say it.

    ReplyDelete
  8. This is sounds so taste... love the little details in the paranthesis...

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, thank you! I'm glad to know the parenthesis worked.

      Delete

DON'T PANIC IF YOUR COMMENTS DON'T POST IMMEDIATELY. They are awaiting moderation. Please allow for possible time difference; I am in Australia. ALSO, IF YOU ARE FORCED TO COMMENT ANONYMOUSLY – do add your name at the end, so I know it's you!