There is a local establishment called The Scented Leaf, holding a flash fiction contest on tea shorts, that should be around 150 words or less. I posted two earlier ones on Odes to Tea. Here are two more. Hopefully, they will be your “cup of tea” when you read them. If not, please do not tea-se me to much about them.
Tea Romance
by Michael Bradley
My dearest Camellia Sinensis, how I do love thee.
Your teeth a silver needle white;
Framed by your delicious rooibos lips;
Heralded in their approach with your fine blossom of scent.
I know you have your dark moods.
You can be steaming, but other times you are calming.
We are from different worlds, you fresh and green with life’s flavor;
Myself, an Earl, grown grey.
Let me take you off to Darjeeling, where we can mate.
We can wed our essence in the warm waters there.
I can but pekoe at the future and our great happiness.
Oh, how I oolong for that day, when we can steep in bliss.
The Tea Duel
by Michael Bradley
It was high tea.
The gentle breeze failed to quell the heated temper of the ladies.
They sat in their finest regalia, ready for battle.
No men were privy to this most visceral of wars.
Onlookers, the previously beaten, looked on with envy.
Only two remained to decide the contest.
In front of each, the porcelain cup, piping hot with its destructive contents.
Amazing to the palate, but death to the awaiting biscuits.
The cucumber sandwiches and scones and tartlets ignored;
The warriors picked up their biscuits and dunked them.
The referee counted the time, announcing the withdrawal.
Each was prepared, retrieving the biscuit with as little stress as possible.
The slightest hand quiver would lose, the slightest flinch.
The ladies looked at each other, judging the steel of their rival.
Comparing biscuits, knowing they must consume the moist
Fragility of wafer before it fell.
Neither wished to go first, but time must decide all fates.
They moved soft but swift, biscuits towards their lips.
One piece fell, short of its intended mouth.
Victory! The Lady of the Day exultant!
Michael Bradley - Time Traveler 