I brewed my poem Teatime in response to this week’s W3 Poetry Prompt #184.
Marion Horton’s is the Poet of the Week, and she invites us to write up to 24 lines about food or drink that brings comfort. Well, that’s gotta be a cuppa tea—has it not‽

Teatime | Photo©️Lesley Scoble

Teatime Lyrics©️Lesley Scoble (Music & Voice generated by AI)

By the way, I do love applause—so I’ve brought out my clapometer again!

W3 Poetry Prompt

Click below to read the full W3 prompt guidelines.

THANK YOU
Thank you, Marion, for your delightful prompt.
Thank you, as always, David, for your motivation and encouragement.

And thank you, dear reader, for spending a little time with my poem.

To discover more about the W3 Poetry Prompt and join in—follow the link below.


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39 responses to “Teatime: Poem (& music audio)”

  1. I love a strong cup of green hot cinnamon spice tea as a computer break. I can relate to your poem.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 😁 Snap! I can relate to yours!

      Liked by 1 person

      1. 😁🍵🍵🍵

        Liked by 1 person

  2. Your poem is perfect and reads so beautifully

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Perfect? Oooh, thank you so much, Sadje. I’ll take perfect. 🤗 🙏 You are too kind xx

      Liked by 1 person

      1. You’re most welcome dear friend

        Liked by 1 person

  3. There is nothing like a good cup of Earl Grey – lovely soothing poem and song Lesley 💞

    Liked by 1 person

  4. I love this. I think hot tea is pure comfort ❤️❤️

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you, Lisapaul 😊🫖💗

      Liked by 1 person

  5. Once again you have outdone yourself, Lesley! Such a well-rounded talent you possess.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Aw, shucks, Violet. ☺️ You’ve got me blushing. You’re so wonderfully kind—thank you! 🙇 xx

      Liked by 1 person

  6. I could feel your comfort in your words, and a smile!

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    1. Thank you, Christine 🙏😊

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  7. Lesley, your poem has a beautiful Anglo-Irish lilt and theme, especially in the sung version, that is so appropriate for the subject. The couplets lent themselves to that easy, singable rhythm. I thought the opening and middle stanzas work especially well, slowing the moment and letting the warmth come through.

    My only hesitation is the food stanza. On the page, it comes across more as a list than a poetic device although it works better sung as the cadence carries it. Perhaps you could consider a couple of sensory details as substitutes for a couple of list items? The savoury note of Marmite in amongst the sweetness calls for exploration.

    But that’s trivial, I’m almost tempted to settle on the settee with a nice cup of Shou Mei except that I’ve just sat down at my writing table with an espresso made from freshly ground Fazenda Reis beans. It’s provocative, not comforting. Good poem, lovely song.

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    1. Thank you so much for your detailed review, Dennis 😊 I really appreciate it.

      You’re very welcome to have a cuppa on my settee anytime! You may be right about my menu/shopping list in stanza 3—it’s easy to slip into listing when it comes to food or drink. I wrote the poem over my early morning cuppa—and bish-bash-bosh, I published it! I usually let my poems cool for a day or two before doing that, just to give myself breathing space to edit. But I’ve had no spare time lately…
      I’ll take another look at those two lines over my next tea break and see how I might improve them—they land at a pivotal moment. 🙏

      Happy writing—and enjoy your ground Fazenda Reis beans. ☕️

      Liked by 1 person

      1. Lesley, I prefer to engage fully with a poem rather than respond with a trite phrase. Unfortunately, that takes time and, like you, I have a trifle less than I’d like at present.

        Reading your poem again, can I offer a suggestion that respects your rhythm and sound? It’s a list but not a list as it injects sensory details and there’s still a sweet/savoury contrast.

        On a plate, warm crumpets glossed with jam,
        malt loaf sweet, a scrape of Marmite, ham.

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Dennis, many thanks for your interest in the couplet—and for your thoughtful suggestions.
        I’ve explored many variations since, but I’ve ultimately returned to my original. To me, it best expresses the quiet, maternal gesture of offering ‘a plate.’
        I did try plural ‘plates,’ but that shifted the tone toward a bustling party, rather than the calm maternal contentment I was aiming for.

        Liked by 1 person

  8. Perfectly brewed, Lesley. Can I come round to yours for tea? (Especially if there is a medieval harp being strummed in the background).🎶

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 😁 Thanks, Marion—and of course you are welcome to come round for tea! Will 4pm suit? 🪉🫖😁

      Liked by 1 person

  9. This is fabulous, Lesley 😊

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so very much, Robbie, 😊🙏 for using one of my favourite ‘F’ words. 🤗

      Liked by 1 person

  10. Lesley, you captured the hustle and bustle of that after school chaos so well. Then the soothing tea time with the much needed snacks and warming tea! Perfection! It jogged memories of my 2 sons bursting through the door with energy to burn after a day of forced sitting. They would literally run circles around the house until diverted by food and drink!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 😁Thank you, Muri. I’m delighted you experienced the same joy as I! 🙏🤗 💕

      Liked by 1 person

      1. My sons are 37 & 38 so those days are a pleasant memory…

        Like

      2. For me too, Muri. My boys are 34 and 32 (How did that happen‽) ❤️❤️

        Liked by 1 person

      3. Haha! They grow up fast and then you realize they are adults!! Time marches on…

        Like

  11. It seems we are both comforted by a hot cuppa! I enjoyed the song version and the slowed down moments enhance the poem. I thought the ending perfect; I could feel a comforting sigh as you settle into the settee.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. 😁Where would we be without a hot cuppa‽ 🙏 Thank you so much for your compliment, Heather. 💕 I really appreciate it.

      Like

  12. i love the rhythm of this; and the whole scene

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thank you so much, Artie 🙏💕

      Liked by 1 person

  13. Love how “the kettle whistles its high-pitched tune” sets the whole cozy vibe, Lesley — feels super warm and homey.

    ~David

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Thank you, David 😊 ❤️

    Like

  15. hi, Lesley❣️

    Just wanna let you know that this week’s W3, hosted by our beloved Shaun Tenzenmen, is now live:

    https://skepticskaddish.com/2025/11/12/w3-prompt-185-weave-written-weekly/

    Much love,
    David

    Liked by 1 person

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