The Plain House is moving and will become Black Tea Cup

My friends,

For nearly a year now you have come over to my house, The Plain House, to share in my thoughts and poetry, as well as the thoughts and poetry of other very talented writers.  I am exceedingly grateful for all of your comments and positive well-wishes--your response has been overwhelming.  However, I believe that all good things must come to an end at some point in time, and for The Plain House, that time is near.  But the good news is that I have already started a new website that will pick up right where The Plain House left off.  That new website is called Black Tea Cup, and can be found here: http://www.blackteacup.com/.

Black Tea Cup will continue the poetic tradition of The Plain House under the "Black Tea for the Heart" heading--you will still be able to find the same unique collection of poetry you are used to finding here on The Plain House.  Black Tea Cup will also have a series of writings on thoughtful subjects under the "Black Tea for the Mind" heading.  You can also get original recipes under the "Black Tea for the Body" heading, and a series of unique, public domain pictures are available under the "Black Tea for the Soul" heading.

So please, don't be sad.  Now that you've spent some time with me at The Plain House, won't you stay for a cup of black tea?

Please update your bookmarks and visit me at Black Tea Cup.  If you like what you see on Black Tea Cup, please consider subscribing.

Sincerely,

Scott Granberg-Rademacker
Founder of The Plain House and Black Tea Cup

The forest in January

The trees lay bare

under the white blanket.

Naked and lonesome

in the chilly frost.

Unexpected

they were when I arrived here.

No other footsteps

sought their company.

-Scott

Candy land

A gloppy of white frosting

on the licorice trees.

Stuck on this space

near the snowflake lake.

The gumdrop pass

just closed for the winter.

Still the crows visit our lollipop woods

via the sky's rainbow trail.

Me?  I'm surveying a chilly peppermint forest

from my warm candy castle.

-Scott

The old swing

When you sit with me

and I creak and settle

that's friendship.

When you push off of the ground

with both feet

that's commitment.

When you laugh at the wind

with whiplash in your hair

that's joy.

When you close your eyes

because you've gone too high

that's excitement.

When you leap off in midair

with the ground below

that's freedom.

When you think of me and smile

years from now

 that's happiness.

-Scott

The brass horn

I used to play

the brass horn

in the marching band.

I used to walk

heel-to-toe

looking up at the stand.

Now the horn sits

a decoration

still bright and proud and grand.

Should I try a tune?

A single note?

It fits so naturally in my hand.

-Scott

Vicenza

The woman cried out, in joy, in pain.
Feeling all alone in her work, but knowing the value.
Health, and spirit, her only desire.
The birth of a future, the making of a queen.
The woman did not know the value of this little girls future, only the little girl.
The lives she would touch, the love she would find, the hurt she would encounter.
The husband that would find her, the children she would bear.
The home of dreams, that she alone would create.
The woman did not know these things.
November 14th, 1974, in a chilly northern Italy.
My beloved was born, and waited for me.

-Aaron

Golden valley

Broad leaves in the golden valley

sway gently in the breeze.

Sunshine on my back

is like a crimson face smiling.

Warm smell of autumn

greets me like an old friend.

And each year I always wonder

how did winter sneak up on me?

-Scott

The forgiving wall

It is a safe place

to lean against

when I need to cry.

It keeps winter out

when the snow flies

and gales whistle.

I run my fingers

across the grain

of the wooden wall.

With each bump and groove

I deposit

fears and memories.

The dusty boards give

absolution

I forgive myself.

-Scott

Happy Inn Cookie

I found a fortune cookie fortune among the leaves

I read it, to see if it was mine.

It said "All things GREAT are done for Love,"

I thought of my wife, our life and our time.

I felt love undying.

I felt profound shame,

I felt a tear well up in me,

Of pride that she took my name.

-Aaron

Way forgotten

What cost a verbal Rose?

A pleasantry afforded another,

word flower of human kindness.

Is it more than a smile?

Less then an applause?

A breath of air? Two?

One burned calorie,

perhaps three?

What once was custom,

a sign of civility,

is now eyed with suspicion,

a flirt, or disgrace.

Such shame.

What cost a verbal Rose?

None,

except to humanity

when no longer grown.

You are exceptional.

-Rusty

The turkey's compass

Eyes to the West

and the setting sun.

Burning your pupils

when the day is done.

Feet to the East

so to walk downwind.

Step down the ravine

or jump with a grin.

Stars in the North

a shiver and chill.

Looking for shelter

over the next hill.

Moon in the South

it hearkens a call.

Crispy brown leaves stage

the coming of fall.

-Scott

Sunburst waterfall

Gold and red intertwined, cascading down.
From the source of ALL mystery and passion.
Feeding the sunburst waterfall from thoughts of love unending,
To rest my cheek there my only desire,
Till my cheek is a cracked dry riverbed,
Though my heart is as nourished as the day I drank her in.

-Aaron

The friendly ride

Your friends carry you

on the ride through life.

It does not matter

if the terrain is rough

or smooth.

Take hold the reins

feet in the stirrups.

Hold on to your hat

keep a three-beat canter

through life.

-Scott

Waiting for someone to play with

The rocks on the shore

of Jenny Lake

are among the oldest on earth.

For nine million years

they've been waiting

to be skipped across the water.

Seems like a long time

to sit around

for two seconds of thrill and fun.

But if you ask them

they will tell you

it was totally worth the wait.

-Scott

No more cupcakes

I don't eat cupcakes anymore.

And I won't even try

to go on and explain to you

what is my reason why.

 So if you see me craving sweets

I'll eat not one or two.

For certain I would rather have

a luscious kiss from you.

-Scott

Seashells

Seashells were once a home

that someone small outgrew.

A hard yet brittle dome

was all that snails knew.

Slinking to a new place

where they can now expand.

Waves carry their old space

for us to take in hand.

-Scott

Old bonnet

Cover your head

from the blowing dust.

Keep the livestock

from wandering off.

When sickness comes

it takes your loved ones.

O pioneers!

 Your life was so hard!

Your depth of strength

we will never know.

Your bonnets now

displayed behind glass.

Then we drive on

down the interstate.

-Scott

Circle of Time

Life was great

when I was a youth,

I would get money

when I lost a tooth.

Life's now hard

since I turned grey,

when losing a tooth

I have to pay.

-Rusty

A kid again (and back)

Today I climbed up a tree

just an ordinary tree,

to feel the rush

of new altitude.

Today I ran 'round the house

just an ordinary house,

to feel the thump

of my beating heart.

Today I rode a skateboard

just an ordinary board,

to feel the pain

of falling down.

Today I went back to work

its an adult thing to do,

'cause being a kid

at my age is tough.

-Scott

The empty chair

Who dares to sit

at the empty chair?

The loss and grief

too painful to bear.

Who can stand to

clean out the closet?

I've not the strength

for that I posit.

Who will put your

house key away?

Your soul to keep

for that I will pray.

Who dares to move

your lonely old chair?

Face the window

breathe in the fresh air.

-Scott