July 2017 Philadelphia Chapter of Pax Christi U.S.A.
High summer in mid-May
The undress of the locals
Either acceptance or protest
Nonetheless purpose prevails
Pedestrians hurry by
Some destination in view
A way station a tea shop
Offering iced tea inside
Walls and walls of huge crocks
Labeled Asia Africa exotic islands
Even ordinary British breakfast tea
The clerk young and plain
Yet attractive in her simple dress
And granny glasses her happy smile
Abides her stretching for as many brews
As we would see or smell even running
The leaves through our fingers
Purchase in hand we move to a window bar
Where suddenly she is outside
Her turn in the fierce sun
Offering passersby
A taste in tiny elegant cups
From ice-laden plastic pitchers
Even with the swelter that smile prevails
When tasters show no further interest
Of course wages necessary but the
Smile says the love of service
John P. McNamee
Work in progress June 2017
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