Te i Peking

The dragon cedar shaded them
As they strolled through the park
And sat them down where sky was roof
And stars lit early dark.

They drank their tea from little cups
Whereon were painted tales
Of episodes that had made gay
The lives of shy brown quails.

They drank their tea and had with it
Some watermelon seed
And being much in love, found this
Sufficient for their need.

George Elliston (Tea in Peking, 1936)


George Elliston (1883-1946) var en amerikansk journalist och en stor älskare av poesi. Hon bidrog själv med flera diktsamlingar. Den lilla dikten ovan speglar så väl den värld jag just har mött i Ann Bridges roman "Peking Picnic"