Afternoon tea was
a daily fact of life
after school
before
homework
or running out to play
SAOs with garden fresh tomatos
and bitey cheese
Holiday treats included apple turnovers
or sticky iced buns
well-earned rewards
for a three-mile walk to
my relatives' house in the blazing heat
with a mother who did not drive
in suburbs where buses
did not run outside school days.
Afternoon tea was
a kind of secret women's business
men were seldom present
my mother, her sister, her mother
discussed issues large and small
drinking hot sweet tea from
sometimes worn
but always fine
china cups and saucers.
Nanna always used her
silver napkin rings for her
starched, embroidered
Irish linen napkin.
Even if the milk was powdered,
there was a fierce
dignity of presentation
keeping up appearances.
Sometimes, I would take a tray
laden with biscuits, cake and strong black tea
to Grandfather who sat in peace and quiet
in the front room and smiled and
thanked me, formally,
ever the soldier
Returning to the kitchen,
I would eat cake, drink very milky weak tea,
and above all, listen
to what the grown ups had to say:
how they said it,
what they left unsaid
knowing their stories were central to my own,
elevenses?
ReplyDeleteI think Winnie the Pooh did that best;)
DeleteVery evocative. Yes, those afternoon conversations played. acrucial role fr so many women.
ReplyDeleteThank you for the feedback Susan!
DeleteYou have really captured wonderful things here Linda - the dignity of presentation, the listening that you as a child know is so important, thank you
ReplyDeleteThanks Sarah appreciate the good feedback!
Deleteyou've brought back memories Linda
ReplyDelete