My Dancing Tea Leaves

Tightly bound together
Are the individual creations,
Time and patience hold them in place,
Love and tenderness they were given.
My fingers take a pinch of them
Careful not to crush their delicate shape,
I place the tiny pieces in the teapot,
And run the hot water over them,
Bringing them to life.
Rising to the top of the water,
Taking their time to enjoy the warmth,
Their movement is so subtle,
As they begin to unfold.
Dancing,
Spinning,
Twirling,
Floating freely.
Little they once were,
Now they’re large and awake,
Absorbing happiness,
But only for a moment.
The little creations opening up
Some now sinking,
Some still floating.
The silent life of the dancing tea leaves
Expanded one by one,
Now their energy has begun to rest,
As they become still life.
One by one, but still together,
They sunk,
They slept,
At the bottom of my tea pot.