I need to thank Jama Kim Rattigan again for featuring me – along with many of my fellow writers – as one of her “HotTEAs of Children’s Poetry” last week! That was definitely a first…
One of the things Jama asked each of us was to share a poem about tea, if we happened to have one. Well, I DID just so happen to have a poem about a specific type of tea, which I shared on her blog post. The question (which has yet to be answered correctly) is: to what type of tea am I referring?
Black Dragon
Steam-breathed beast
touches light the ginger flower;
savors third steeping
– © 2015, Matt Forrest Esenwine
I provide three distinct clues in this little haiku, to help you solve the riddle. If you think you know, please share your thoughts in the comments section, and I’ll let you know if you’re correct!
By the way, my friend and fellow Poet’s Garage member Michelle H. Barnes is today’s Poetry Friday hostess, so be sure to visit her blog, Today’s Little Ditty, for all the links and info! Also, in case you missed it, I encourage you to check out this past Tuesday’s post about writing, networking, and really expensive scallops.
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Radio, Rhythm & Rhyme 
Matt, since I am a devoted herbal tea drinker, I was lured in by the word ginger. I happen to love ginger tea with its strong taste so my guess is that you are writing about ginger tea. I will have to find Jama’s post that features the Hot Teas of Children’s Poetry. Thanks for the notes on your recent conference. I am glad that you met up with Kwame. He is a friend of mine whom I met when he was just coming into his own and now he is a respected rising star. I always knew he would be at the top one day. Have a great weekend.
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Thanks, Carol! If you see Kwame, please tell him everyone is still talking about his speech! And no, it’s not ginger tea…but this particular tea does often have notes of ginger flower. (Keep guessing!)
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I too thought ginger tea, but am not sure I’m right since I think the steam beast and the three are the other two clues. Anyway, I love the poem even without being sure which tea it is. I want a cup anyway!
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I’m glad you liked it, Sally, thank you! You’re right – it’s not ginger tea, but if you have another guess, let me know!
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The Black Dragon returns! Thanks for another peek at that great mug shot :).
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Thanks, Jama!
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Hmmm… I thought maybe chai, but “black dragon” makes me think Chinese rather than Indian. I give up. Beautiful haiku, though… and speaking of haiku, thanks again for including mine in your Cubed challenge. I receive Pschoetry yesterday afternoon, and look forward to digging in this weekend.
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I appreciate that, Michelle…but nope, not chai. You are on the right track, though, by thinking ‘Chinese.’ 😉
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Is it Jasmine?
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Nope! It’s a traditional tea, and not uncommon.
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Peony? Chrysanthemum?
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No, but I will share one more hint. You know how there’s black tea, green tea, and white tea? Well, this tea is sometimes referred to as “blue tea.”
Again, there are three clues in the poem: one is the title, and the other hints are in the 2nd and 3rd lines.
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Well, I have no idea either… but one of these days we’ll have to share a cup of tea or coffee or something at a conference! ;0)
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That sounds good to me, Robyn! (And I’ll share the answer tomorrow!)
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I’m a black tea drinker who likes strong tea with a hint of smokiness, steeps her tea once (sometimes forgetting it for 20 minutes at a time), and drinks it with milk and sugar. But I do like your haiku, and clearly, you stumped the Poetry Friday world!
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How dare you taint your beverage with milk & sugar! 😉 But I am glad you liked the haiku, Mary Lee.
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Reminds me of Tea with the Black Dragon by R. A. MacAvoy, but I don’t imagine you steep her words and drink them. Is it oolong? It’s the only tea that springs to mind that is associated with black dragons. Ah well, I’m just a Trader Joe’s Green drinker myself, but then I doubt anyone will ever vote me a HoTea. LOL Hope you wife enjoyed Mother’s Day. And I liked your ditty. Warmly, Brenda
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Ladies and gentlemen, WE HAVE A WINNER! Yes, Brenda – it’s OOLONG TEA! The title was the first clue (so-named because the dried leaves are black and curl around themselves like a dragon). Oolong also has notes of ginger flower; hence, the second clue. And its flavor actually improves upon the 3rd or 4th steeping – the 3rd clue!
Many thanks to everyone who has stopped by this weekend!
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Yeah! I love winning. 🙂
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