Poetry: THE RASPBERRY TEA POEM -1995

THE RASPBERRY TEA POEM, by Richard McDowell

Three snakes jumped into the lake. The waters coined a phrase. On the lips of children ran ripples on the wind. So that’s what this is all about. This is about that. This and that. That and this. This is about the first time I don’t actually remember. Near the center I decided to cross the street. The store was on the corner. Take a ship and sail around the sea of sand. Water is much better wet. Oh please, these are just ideas that I have. ‘Cause, that’s what his name is. Sitting in the shadow of the sun. The tunnel has a hood with a cover.

And I go on and on. Try not to sing a song, try not to sing along. Try not to think about nothin’. Like a piece of plywood. Which reminds me of glue. Somethin’s gotta hold us together.

You say that you love me. You say that you need me. You said that you’d meet me at half past three. I waited an hour until I felt lonely. I ordered a cup of raspberry tea.

Jump down the street up the hill. Trash. Would you like some peas? The color of Ambiguity. I have always found lemons. The bear was made of fur. It is the tree. The light was dark. The dark was dark. Darker then it was light. Shine. Pine. Mine. Line. Fine. Birds, bats, cats, rats. Chairs, pairs, hairs. Rabbits freed from snares. Sneers. Snored. Spared. Happy is rare. Scarce. Sparse. Scant. Ant. Plant, a factory chant. Mill the wool. Sheep’s clothing was on the lamb. Elvis was an apple cart.

And I go on and on. Try not to sing a song, try not to sing along. Try not to think about nothin’. Like a piece of plywood. Which reminds me of glue. Somethin’s gotta hold us together.

You say that you love me. You say that you need me. You said that you’d meet me at half past three. I waited an hour until I felt lonely. I ordered a cup of raspberry tea.

We lived in a cardboard box that was at the exit left me on a bridge. The moon was in your left eye so I looked inside and saw the astronaut Gene Shaw wow what a guy. Butter is not a cow and I don’t think cows like chocolate. The day I smiled a warm snow fell in the cold spring. Picture the flowers. Cultivate the painting. I love the garden in your mind. Straw the barn full was. Rain is good for banana trees, but not trees that don’t need rain. Please rain on the day I go.

And I go on and on. Try not to sing a song, try not to sing along. Try not to think about nothin’. Like a piece of plywood. Which reminds me of glue. Somethin’s gotta hold us together.

You say that you love me. You say that you need me. You said that you’d meet me at half past three. I waited an hour until I felt lonely. I ordered a cup of raspberry tea.

Three snakes jumped into the lake and I go on and on.