The Vintage Tea Towel

It started life in rich earth fields
Birmingham Alabami,
then cotton mill to chic boutique
n' bought by gal for Mami,

It hung on the wall, saw it all
Ceylon and Darjeeling,
following the Brits injunction then
"Keep Calm " keep tea drinking.

From porcelain cup from workman's mug
teabag or loose tea leaf,
from dainty sip or great big gulp
it kept its watching brief.

From tea's-maid and the cheap tin tray
tea caddy and paper bag,
it sees mystic preparations
and, the biscuit dunking mad.

No stains left on its character
from tea pot or tea cup,
that's all for now, and here's your tea
so, get it all supped up...