The cup

 

 

By L. Stewart Marsden

 

Water, coffee
wine or blood,
the cup contains whatever’s poured
into its same and constant shape.

It does not change or e’en refute
the nature of the liquid stored,
but its content holds secure,
undiluted, safe and pure

the water, coffee
wine or blood,
until its lips are tilted down
and out its content flows

to quench or warm
refresh, reclaim —
the cup contains whatever’s poured
into its same and constant shape.

Copyright © by Lawrence S. Marsden, 4 May, 2014