Life is a Garden Party: Tea Party

Afternoon tea is being prepared.
Sun tea. What will today's guests wear?
In what color will they dress?
Which tea will they like best?

On the wings of the wind floats
someone dressed in a black cloak
stopping at the purple butterfly bush
where yellow striped guests also sip their lunch.

Dressed to the hilt
with golden gilt
she's not late for her afternoon cup of tea
which she's happy to share with the bees.

There's purple conflower tea
and lavender hydrangea tea.
She sips to her heart's content
then up, up, up she went...

to try another flavor -
zinnia tea she favors.
Its hard to decide
as she quietly glides...

to sample pink hollyhock tea
where she finds more hungry bees
sampling this nectar - a gift from God,
of God's faithfulness when times are hard.

Other teas await.
Guests are not late.
Reubeckia tea is sipped in my town
by someone dressed in an orange spotted gown.

Looking like she lunched on "cheetoes"
after stopping at the cosmos,
her face is covered with yellow pollen
as she sips from each, going round and round.

She, too, likes zinnia tea
as do the yellow striped bees.
Afternoon tea delights
these winged creatures in flight.

Here's another guest
wearing a yellow dress.
Which teas will she like best?
Lily tea would be my guess.

She samples another flavor tea
sharing next to her friends, it's free.
Fragrant, colorful ambrosia
uplifting yet relaxing to all.

Another guest prefers red tea
as they share alongside the bees.
A green vest is worn over a red tee.
They prefer a straw to sip their tea.

Geranium tea is drunk this afternoon.
Look quick as this sipper zooms
in the red begonia for more tea
before sampling red trumpet vine tea.

They love red bee balm tea, too,
scented with citrus flavored dew.
To cleanse their palette, a sip
of blue borage tea is sipped.

Who likes sunflower tea the best?
It's the the bees wearing yellow striped vests.
They also like squash blossom tea
while humming a song of glee.

This song of contentment is heard
at this tea party outdoors.
The crickets even join in
strumming a constant din.

Afternoon tea was a great success.
Whose outfit did you like the best?
Tomorrow more tea will be brewed
and more acquaintances will be renewed.

Do you have a tea party planned?
Please do take the time to plan
time to sit and sip
as your cup is tipped...

with a cup of hibiscus tea
full of Vitamin C.
Cheers! Cheers
to you, so dear.

* * * * *

I hope these tea party guests brought a smile to your face.
When they visit me, they bring a smile to my face
as one afternoon in August I sat
with pen and paper in lap
recording what I saw happening
as fluffy clouds overhead were drifting.

My heart was cheerful
as my yard was full
of winged guest -
can you guess
from the clues above:
butterflies, which I love,
bees and hummingbirds
quite often heard.

Rather sitting or working in my yard,
it's an occasion to give glory to God:
"O Lord, my God, when I in awesome wonder
consider all the worlds thy hands have made.
I see the stars, I hear the rolling thunder,
thy power throughout the universe displayed.
Then sings my soul,
my Savior, God, to thee,
How great thou art,
how great thou art!"

A happy heart makes the face cheerful.
Proverbs 15:13

The cheerful heart has a continual feast.
Proverbs 15:15

A cheerful look brings joy to the heart,
and good news gives health to the bones.
Proverbs 15:30

A cheerful heart is good medicine.
Proverbs 17:22