On my lap
I feel a warm cat,
and in my hand
my favourite cup
of cranberry and raspberry.
But there is no
fruity burst on the tongue,
just heat in my mouth
that no longer spreads
to the cockles of my heart.
No heightening of the senses.
No calm.
I hear myself breathe.
I watch a poem bloom from the leaves.
Kim M. Russell, 12th April 2026
Another re-worked poem for Melissa’s Poetics prompt which explores the senses.
writing in north norfolk 
Imagine a no-taste of tea…. something beginning so gently and then being something almost night-marish…. I imagine how much this would feel like after covid.
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I love that fusion of senses where steaming tea melds with imagination: “I watch a poem bloom from the leaves.”
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Thanks Dora. Sometimes you can’t separate senses.
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That last line hit me especially hard, too. And
“But there is no
fruity burst on the tongue,
just heat in my mouth
that no longer spreads
to the cockles of my heart.”
I felt sadness as I imagined no longer being able to taste.
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Thank you, Melissa. I felt sad when I wrote it.
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Tht last line brought it home. Nice one, Kim!
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I’m glad you like it!
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another. Oh nice. But no taste buds? That is sad. I guess the sense of smell is lost too. Perhaps one gets to rely on memory. Thanks for sharing
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I’m glad you like it, Selma. I’m worried about losing my sight and know that I would rely on the other senses, so would hate to lose any of them. But losing my memory is even more worrying.
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I worry about losing my memory. Too. That would be so sad. Really. Let’s do what we can to stay alert. Thanks for sharing.
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Sublime Kim especially the ending 🙌
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I’m delighted you like it, Ange.
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🙌
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I like how you composed both poems. Excellent.
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Thank you, Bill.
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Beautiful!
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😊
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oh so nice Kim! 🙂
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Cheers Rob!
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Much in your poem reflects my view on life as we currently know it [here in the USA] … wishing the tide would turn … a return of taste, joy, optimism, empathy.
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