Cupan Tae

The Gaelic term "Cupan tae" is often Anglicized into "cuppa" or "cup of tea"



Jesus, Mary and Joseph,

wasn’t a blessing,

but a lament that Maura muttered

nearly every time she grabbed a clean cup

from the dish rack by the sink.

Tea was the antidote to most of life’s problems,

and by life’s problems,

Maura meant children --

all six of them;

one more trouble than the next.

Precocious Bridget; she’d find herself in trouble.

Stephen ended up in jail, but at least she knows where he is.

It’s Billy she’s worried about. No doubt

he’s found his way to a bar and a bottle of whiskey.

Patrick is up to something; she’ll find out what it is.

Colleen might make something of herself, if

she’d just get rid of that good-for-nothing boyfriend.

And Jimmy -- well, Jimmy – he’s the baby.

The kettle whistles.

Another cupan tae.

Jesus, Mary and Joseph

How would anyone get through the day without it?