Leaves of Tea

Pattern to the right - love for life.
Pattern to the left - sorrow and death.

Leaves of green and black,
gold and brown,
laying in a brackish mess
tell of my future,
lay out my life.

Granny stirs and passes the cup.
Auntie grimaces and mumbles.
And i wonder,
will they see love and laughter
or blight and pain?

Patterns, patterns
leaves of tea
spread over the bottom of
a china cup
for old wise women to read.

sHaYcH
09/99