Wonder ??? Wednesday #2 Weird

For me this is more wonderful, than weird.  When I first drank tea in this cup and saw the Geisha looking back at me, it was kinda spooky!  I discovered this fine Bone China came from Japan, during WWII.  My Mother-in-law didn't care for the color or look of it and gave me 6 settings.  There was not a tea pot, to be found.  It was a set given to her by a great aunt. This china is from
the 1950's, it is called Hayasi Kutani.  You can also look it up by referencing Geisha Ghost.  The molded art is made, by very thin translucent porcelain also known as Lithophane.  This process can create a 3-D image.  YOU can see the image when light n' shadows are in play, when you tilt your cup of tea.   You can also set the cup in a sunny window and view it at different times during the day.  Sunlight alters the image and the Geisha Ghost will appear.

It is believed this process was first developed in China.  In the 1930's, the Japanese started producing Lithophane on sake 'n tea cups.   During WWII many sailors and soldiers were buying pieces to bring back home, during 1945-1952.  This art form stopped production. sometime in the 1950's.

Over at Poets United I provided this prompt-so many directions to go in tea, Geisha, ghost, WWII,  and our memories.   Tea memories started for me with my Nannie Nonnie, at the age of 10, she decided I need a lesson in tea.  I think it was more of an excuse to check to see if her  daughter in law was giving me the proper guidance, in my manners.  Anyway I made Mom proud,  pinkies up and no slurping.  lol

Journey of steeped memories

wake me

 echoes from my past

arrive in one sip

tiny leaves in a ball 

placed in black tea pot with a peony

graced her table

small servings of refreshment

a test of my skills

Clouded memories arrive and the mist

affects my eyes

like a sparrow's tongue

I'm am encouraged to taste

the bitter brew

Nannie's sweet dew

nectar of the mountains

Nature's offerings captured in a moment

one can travel the world

 in a cup of tea

cultivate your dreams

earth's notes swirl

memories plucked like ripe fruit

arrive all in the celebration

ceremony of

tea

the character of full body or fruit

its boldness reminds me

of ghosts, from my past

they linger like musical notes

and

play a faded tune

I do not see the Geisha

I see my

Grandmother

reminding me

to be a lady

to be the best me

all instilled

in a cup of

 tea

 I took this photo with a hint of tea.  I wanted you to see the Geisha, the ghost!  

 

Wonder??? Wednesday

I thought it would be fun to start off the new prompt at Poets United in a zany direction. Who better than Dr. Seuss to take us there.  He was the man that so many of us enjoyed in our youth, read to our children, and  some are now enjoying with their grandchildren.

Here is my silly adaptation.  I chose to write a tribute type poem to Dr. Seuss.  I must say "Wacky Wednesday" did invade my life.  Once I discovered the book and read it with my daughter, life changed.  We celebrated "Wacky Wednesday" with dinner for breakfast and breakfast for dinner.  Once in a Blue Moon I would let my children eat dessert first.  I know wacky, right!  I did make sure it was something with some protein in it, like Peanut Butter Chocolate pudding!   I hope in honor of Dr. Seuss, you too will embrace Wednesday and do something wacky! 

Dr. Seuss

you silly goose

you set my mind a whirling

like oysters do, I too began a pearling

You made reading fun, when I was young

your rhyming gave me a twisted tongue

I learned to love the abuse

oh, Dr. Seuss you silly goose

Children came and you again entered my brain

allowing me to dance down memory lane

my thoughts scrambled like green eggs n' ham

 I need to live like a clam

or maybe like Horton hears a Who

then I think of red and blue and things one n' two

the Grinch reminds me of Cindy Lou

Then Wacky Wednesday had that silly shoe

How do you do it..get in my head

 you nested in my capillary bed

If I ran the Zoo

Horton would not have heard the who

The Cat in the hat

would have found a bat

inside his chapeau

How would we grow?

Would I have Hopped on Pop

What would I talk about at the bus stop?

Sneetches would their bellies have stars

Would a  green dog in a yellow tree have cars?

 

Oh, Dr. Seuss

You silly goose

would a fox wear socks

would Knox find a box

would my tongue be in knots

Thanks Dr. Seuss for all the crazy thoughts!!!

Thanks for tying my tongue in a bow

Thanks for letting me grow

Thank you, Thank you

 Dr. Seuss

for being zany like a goose

for giving me an excuse

n' setting my imagination on the loose***