The Plain House

The Plain House is moving and will become Black Tea Cup

2014-01-30T23:13:00.000-06:00

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

A ribbon in your hair

2014-01-08T06:29:00.000-06:00

I tied a ribbon

in your hair,

you asked me

to pull it tight.

A lock of curls

did not dare,

outshine it

in golden light.

The simple thread

will not fall,

because its

fastened with might.

Oh simple bandeau

hang on well,

for you hold

my heart's delight.

-Scott

The forest in January

2014-01-04T09:47:00.000-06:00

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

The druid sleeps

2013-12-30T08:56:00.000-06:00

Reborn in the spring

with the first thaw.

Renewed in spirit

winter withdraw.

But for now we wait

with candle lit.

Under the blankets

of woven knit.

Sleeping under snow

roots running deep.

The druid's heart rests

in peaceful sleep.

-Scott

Holiday lights

2013-12-25T22:50:00.000-06:00

Candles bright

shining forth

in the night.

Darkness pushed

outside lines

as you wished.

Golden dawning

hand-in-hand

past the awning.

-Scott

Happy holidays!

2013-12-22T22:50:00.001-06:00

Happy holidays to everyone. I hope your holidays are safe and blessed.

-Scott

Candy land

2013-12-10T04:26:00.000-06:00

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

In the dawning

2013-11-29T08:59:00.002-06:00

In the dawning

of the new day

possibilities awake.

In the warming

of the morning sun

opportunities to take.

-Scott

A turkey's thanksgiving

2013-11-28T07:00:00.000-06:00

Turkeys in the bush

have reason to give thanks.

Avoiding humans

and spending time with family.

Huddled close

keeping out of sight.

Living for today

thankful for tomorrow.

-Scott

The old swing

2013-11-27T07:00:00.000-06:00

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

Acorns

2013-11-26T10:06:00.000-06:00

Tiny acorns

grow into

grand oaks.

Small babies

grow into

brave leaders.

Cloudy dreams

grow into

sweeping ideals.

Someday I'll

grow into

my own skin.

-Scott

Big miracles

2013-11-24T14:07:00.001-06:00

Each day we are alive

is not a small miracle

in the grand scheme of life.

Each day we are alive

it is a big miracle

in a small package.

-Scott

Waiting for you

2013-11-20T08:44:00.000-06:00

I'd wait for your

in the depths of despair.

I'd wait for you

amidst all my cares.

I'd wait for you

when the shadows grow long.

I'd wait for you

until the end of the song.

I'd wait for you

though the world falls apart.

I'd wait for you

with love in my heart.

I'd wait for you

at the end of the maze.

I'd wait for you

to the end of my days.

-Scott

The brass horn

2013-11-19T09:59:00.000-06:00

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

The news

2013-11-15T09:15:00.000-06:00

Tell me please

oh what news!

Has the world

caught the blues?

What you heard

what you saw!

Has the mayor

broken the law?

What you spoke

and what you read!

Has the news

gone to our head?

-Scott

Vicenza

2013-11-14T13:53:00.001-06:00

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

Inner dialogue

2013-11-14T10:05:00.000-06:00

Who are you?

And who am I?

We do our best.

Of course we try!

But how are you?

And how am I?

A little depressed?

Do you want to cry?

What are you?

and what am I?

A little stressed?

Then let it fly!

But why you?

And why me?

Have we been blessed?

In time we'll see.

-Scott

Distorted water

2013-11-13T07:00:00.000-06:00

The glass

is half-full

but it distorts

my vision.

The water

bends the light

and clouds

my eyes.

The glass

is half-empty

that is

no different.

I prefer

an empty glass

so I can

see clearly.

-Scott

Fools Gold

2013-11-12T07:00:00.000-06:00

To dream the dream of noble kings,

and live the life they lead,

the jester plays the fool for them

to drink their cup of mead.

Late at night as he retires

to hide behind closed door,

wipes the smile from his face,

and rains tears on the floor.

They'll not know his secret wish

to sit before their fire,

have these fools he must attend

kneel down and call him sire.

-Rusty

Patience

2013-11-11T07:00:00.000-06:00

I patiently wait

for you to return.

Don't take to long

I've energy to burn.

I may be young

my heart an open book.

But you can lift my spirits

with a single look.

-Scott

Sunrise window

2013-11-06T09:20:00.000-06:00

The long cold night begins

and the snow covers all.

Branches creak and bend.

Hunkered down all evening

knifing winds blow darkness.

Snowy phantoms lurking.

Then golden light peeks in

through the sunrise window.

Snowbirds sing happy songs.

The children run around

nature's snowy playground.

Until shadows grow long.

Haunting murders of crows

shout insults at the sun.

Rose-colored clouds loom large.

The long cold night begins

and the snow covers all.

Branches creak and bend.

-Scott

Golden valley

2013-11-05T07:00:00.000-06:00

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

2013-11-01T09:19:00.000-05:00

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

The day of the dead

2013-10-31T09:07:00.000-05:00

In wicked mists

the dead walk.

Long forgotten

none hear them.

A cold shiver

in silence.

They wait all night

in graveyards.

Wishing for light

against hope.

-Scott

Driftwood

2013-10-30T09:47:00.000-05:00

So you've found me!

I came from far away.

Pick me up!

With you I'd love to stay.

Oh the things I have seen!

Stuff you wouldn't believe.

The journey is over!

Quite a lot I've achieved.

You're so disinterested!

Please don't set me down.

Don't walk away!

My smile becomes a frown.

Once more adrift!

Turn my gaze out to sea.

But these stubborn waves!

Trap me against the scree.

-Scott