6:20-6:51 p.m.: My peace rituals are more necessary these days than they’ve ever been before.
Is it because I’m older?
Or because life is busier?
Or because the world feels so different today than it did yesterday?
Some evenings, I take a long walk with the dogs. Other evenings, I light candles. Some nights, I soak in a hot bath. Most every afternoon or evening, I make a pot of hot green tea and my husband and I indulge with local honey and a flavored herb blend. There is nothing that compares to the feeling of togetherness and unwinding over steam rising from a cup. When the world is cold, there is warmth in togetherness.
Steeping Peace
I come home from work
steep a mug of hot green tea
sweetened with honey
grab a tea towel
slip my hand inside the mug
buffered towel warmth
when the world is cold
a handwarmer mug steeps peace
from the inside out
Common Threads 
Your slice is warm and comforting on this cold morning when my heart is hurting like so many others. I too find green tea calming and drink a lot of it in the afternoon and in the morning as well. Routines, like this crazy writing challenge, are also helping me to cope with the uncertainties and worries of our country these days, but you also have me wondering if some if it is getting older? I’ll think about that.
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I love the calm peacefulness of the ending lines, “when the world is cold
a handwarmer mug steeps peace
from the inside out”
You are blessed to have a life partner to end your day with.
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What a feeling! I loooved this, Kim:
“There is nothing that compares to the feeling of togetherness and unwinding over steam rising from a cup. When the world is cold, there is warmth in togetherness.”
I’m glad you have those rituals!
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Feeling comforted is so important. I love how this mug does it for you. Very moving poem!
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Kim,
I like the idea of “peace rituals” and wish I liked hot tea. Alas, it’s not my go-to beverage. I think all three of the reason you list can be true at the same time. And since I’ve been in Zooms w/ you, I have an image of a doggie wrap around your neck w/ candles nearby and a cup of tea in your hand. Peaceful imagery, indeed.
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Ah, Kim, this is lovely. “Steeping Peace” is an inviting title. Yes, there is “warmth in togetherness” So happy that you two get to experience this! I love reading the details of the tea towel and mug and the images of warmth, peace, and steeping in your poem.
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Oh, I need a peace ritual! I do enjoy a two handed coffee morning with my dog on my lap! I love this line- When the world is cold, there is warmth in togetherness.
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I love this idea of peace rituals. I think as we grow older we learn to savor the simple moments more. Also love this line: “When the world is cold, there is warmth in togetherness.” So very true. So much comfort and peace emanate from your poem, friend – you infuse us.
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P. S. I forgot to say I dreamed of hummingbirds last night…awaiting their return any day now.
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