Impromptu

I’m confirmed in my zany ways,
Out of step with the world.
Peddling tea for a living
Goes with the natural grain.
A quiet mind and a plain life
Excels the finest luxury;
A content mind and tattered robe,
Better far than finest silk.
At dawn I dip from the well,
When I leave I carry the moon;
I shoulder my brazier at evening
And come back trailing the clouds.
This is how I’ve learned to live–
The life of an old tea seller–
Rambling free of material things
Beyond the clash of “pro” and “con”.

From Ten Impromptu Verses

2
I’ve opened shop this time
On the banks of the Kamo.
Customers, sitting idly,
Forget host and guest.
They drink a cup of tea,
Their long sleep is over;
Awake, they then realize
They’re the same as before.

from Three Verses on a Tea-Selling Life

I’m no Buddhist or Taoist
Nor Confucianist either,
I’m a black-faced white-haired
Hard-up old man.
You think I just prowl
The streets selling tea?
I’ve got the whole universe
In this tea caddy of mine.
–

Snowing at the well

A black-capped Chickadee sings

Dee Dee  …  Dee Dee Dee

by ZD

Time is not real, only moments are real. Do you have a moment for tea?

by Steve Bonnell

Some men are well read. I am well steeped.

Steve Bonnell

Water carves nature

Tea cultivates mans’ spirit

letting Tao flow through

By Steve Bonnell

My core hollow like a tube

Zephyr blows, I sway

Through open gates, sweet song plays

by Steve Bonnell

As the full moon presided over the blustery cold night, and ruby-red lanterns swung wildly about — what a blessing! To be gathered with so many lovely souls, in celebration of art and beauty, music and kinship. Hot pu-er tea ever-flowing, serenaded by Sarania’s singing bowls and the wonder-filled music of Satellite by Night, joyful hearts were warmed on the inside. Thank you, Larry, for being Chief Instigator of Joyful Happenings. And, as always, for your beautiful gift of tea. Until next time…

by Sharia Crandall

If you wish to know the nature of the universe

would you but drink a cup of Tea

The story of vast galaxies is told by the

Steam formations at the top of the broth

This surface illusion is exciting and

Beautiful enough to distract us from

Seeing all that is beneath it

Let alone drink the Tea

by Steve Bonnell

After many a brew of the wild Purple Tip, a silent stream did open up and speak clearly like a babbling brook past the ears unknowing and into the heart.

I have brewed this tea for three days now yet it remains unchanged.

Each cup representing a piece of nature, a stage in evolution.

This tea reminds me that I did also grow.

Was processed by Way of speaking and was aged by increments of mountain made desert.

Can this life not also be drank by Way of Brewing Tea.

Poem by Steve Bonnell

Join us for another evening of music and poetry inspired by tea and the full moon.

Zen Dog’s Tea House Gallery is hosting a series of monthly lunar celebrations with live music, art, poetry and tea tasting.

Music
Satellite by Night is a Seattle-based trio, invoking the styles of folklorica from South America and Okinawa into improv and meditation.

www.satellitebynight.com

Mike Antoneis from the Snoqualmie Valley will join us again.

www.myspace.com/mikeantonemusic

Art
Zoulie Deng – painting demo from 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Zoulie Deng is former president of the Washington State Overseas Chinese Artists Association and the current vice chairman of the U.S. – China Economic & Cultural Development Association. He has been a Seattle resident for 20 years and through the art of calligraphy, painting and engraving brings a journey of artistic exploration and discovery. Deng’s second painting album is now available for $15.00. Click here for more info.

Poetry
The featured poet for the evening is Ming Holden.  She will be reading a story about translating poetry in Bolivia. We now have copies of “Never Ended, Never Begun” for sale. This is an English translation of contemporary short stores by a young female Mongolian writer, Altangere Taivankhuu, who also happens to direct Mongolia’s Ministry of Justice.

Tea to Go
Zen Dog House Roast – pick up a hot cup of tea on your way to work or throughout the day. The new tea station is located just inside the front door. Tea is roasted at the Tea House Gallery and water is from the Artesian well.

Read more

Coming soon to Zen Dog Tea House Gallery.  Wagashi (Japanese sweets) from Tokara. www.tokaragashi.com
Tea Tasting
A new tea  space has been created on the first floor.  Enjoy tea tasting in the lounge with comfy couch and beautiful camphor wood root table from China, or continue up the stairs to enjoy tea in the gallery.

Tai Chi Class
Tai Chi class (Chen Style 83 movement form) is offered outdoors every Saturday morning from 9:30 – 10:30 with Tai Chi Master Alex Zhang at the Tea House Gallery.

Price $15.00 per class.

Other News – Zen Dog Likes

Books – now available for purchase at Zen Dog Tea House Gallery Store
The Way of Tea, Reflections on a Life With Tea by Aaron Fisher
Tea Wisdom by Aaron Fisher

Join us for an evening of music and poetry inspired by tea and the full moon.

Zen Dog’s Tea House Gallery is hosting a series of monthly lunar celebrations with live music, art, poetry and tea tasting.

Music
Satellite by Night is a Seattle-based trio, invoking the styles of folklorica from South America and Okinawa into improv and meditation.

www.satellitebynight.com

Mike Antoneis from the Snoqualmie Valley will join us again.

www.myspace.com/mikeantonemusic

Art
Ren Zhi Xian – painting demo from 6:00 – 7:00 pm
Artist Ren Zhi Xian will give a Chinese painting demonstration and talk from 6:00 to 7:00 pm on his artistic journey from Beijing and around the world. He currently resides in Seattle.
Click here for more info.

Poetry
The featured poets for the evening is Ming Holden

Ming Holden will be reading an excerpt from “Never Ended, never begun”, an English translation of contemporary short stories by a young female Mongolian writer, Altangere Taivankhuu, who also happens to direct Mongolia’s Ministry of Justice.