A Cup Of Tea

(For AV on her birthday)

The smoky aroma takes me back
To the time
I was introduced to it
By a poet friend
Who continues to inspire,
That is,
To breathe,
As he is older now,
Like I am,

It reminds me of
Walking down a railroad track,
Stepping on each tie,
Nearly stumbling
In the creosote atmosphere,
Hearing but not heeding
The oncoming train,
Diving off the tracks
At the last second
Into the piney woods,
Later to build a fire
Of needles and branches
Over which to smoke
Some small fish
While enjoying a pipe bowl
Of Old Philospher.