The Fragrance of Chinese Tea

High wind howling out of the window

Meditative Chinese classical Guqin music

Simple tiny aging clay tea pot

Polished bamboo utensils

Special Porcelain pouring pitcher

Tiny Porcelain pairs of aroma cups and drinking cups

Spring water from the mountain

And tins of a variety of tea leaves 

From green to deeply roasted

All set on a low rectangular wooden table

The tea master, humbly settles into a Zen state of mind

Closing all senses to the surroundings

Three to four tasters sit in silence

Eyes following every move of the master

In handling the tea sets with a touch of musical artistry

From hot bathing the pot and sets of cups

Along with cleansing of the mind

After passing around the tea leaves for admiration of its aroma

The master gracefully steeps a pinch of tea leaves into the tiny pot

Allowing the leaves to stretch out their bodies comfortably in hot water

Effortlessly releasing the light, fresh, soothing fragrance in slow motion

The aroma radiates and lingers over multiple infusions

A complex aroma beyond description

Eases the hidden emotions and nurtures the neglected soul

                             

Upon the subtle invitation from the master

The tasters gingerly hold on to the rim of the aroma cups

With great respect and admiration

Breathing in deeply the delicate fragrance of the tea

There are no words to describe the release

Of the tea spirit bound by the subtle to intense fragrance

Spiraling up a mysterious and dreamy story from the high mountain

Simple flowers to a hundred year old tea tree

Wrapped in layers of floating clouds for century long

Raindrops falling in rhythms seeding the fragrance in the tea leaves

Chinese tea in a moody afternoon

Seduces a rainbow of fragrance to rest in the hearts

Of all admirers crossing the path

To the ultimate culture born in nature

Drinking the Fragrance of Chinese Tea

S.P. Ma

Feb 2020