in yixing, china
unglazed zisha clay teapots
demand high prices.
hands grind zisha clay.
artisan hands shape teapots,
sign chop-marks on base.
tea connoisseurs, west,
sip yixing ceremony,
drink chinese virtue.
"those clay particles,"
they nod, knowingly, informed,
"superior brew."
no porcelain pot
creates a brew that is true,
only zisha clay.
skeptics scratch their chins,
sip their earthenware-brewed cup,
shrug tea-stained shoulders.
"this tastes pretty good,
never mind the porosity,
pour me one more cup."
skeptic i remain,
although yixing designs tug
at my esthetics.
5 October 1999
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment