It's An Iced Tea Life

You've brought out my depression. Contest entry.

A glass of iced tea

Melting, aging

Wetness on the table

A coaster to provide dignity.

Tannins sink to the bottom

Leaving tepid water

Poured out and replaced

By something fresh.

So much is used and ignored,

Left to waste and be replaced.

What is valued anymore?

Am I?

Will I be left to waste,

Provided with a quiet place to die?

Reviews

[William Michael Reeves]

Did you happen to die in the garbage disposal of life? Chewed up like ice chopped up with a knife?

[mattavelli]

Thanks for reading, William! :)
I wrote this for a contest. The goal was to be depressing. Haha

[KlineXcreed]

This is amazing and well worth first place! It is clever and short. Strikes your soul right to the core. I love it, keep up the writing!!

[mattavelli]

Thank you for reading it. :)

[Tobias H. Reese]

Wow. I had forgotten it was "you" whom had written this ...and that I had "reviewed" it publically.
(I had dozens of submissions for the "Without you" contest and of course there is no way to keep up with every single individual.)
I must say, I am not surprised however, as much of your other writing is superb as well.
I look forward to working with you and wish you all the best in your creative future.

[Tobias H. Reese]

It absolutely blows my mind how clueless, uneducated and ridiculous some people are- not this writing, but some of the reviews. While many reviews are fair, thoughtful, wise comments on a wise and thoughtful piece, many others do not seem to understand it at all. Even worse- in my opinion- is the assumption too many readers make that a poet is speaking in literal terms on their own experiences, life, feelings and philosophies.
A writer may very well be "journaling" but it is lazy reading to assume as much and does a great disservice to the poets' time, effort and craft. Peace.

[mattavelli]

Thank you for reading it, Tobias. Many of the reviews that I receive can be interpreted as variations of "hi, matt. I stopped by your page"... I hope.... haha

[Tobias H. Reese]

My pleasure. Yes, I understand. :-)

[Roland Petrov]

Very original! I, for one, value my iced tea enough to brew it fresh from real Sri Lankan tea leaves and drink it before the ice melts completely, but I'm also not depressed.

[poetsblade]

very zen....almost rigid form yet it flows with meaning....well written

[Leah Simone]

We drink a good bit of sweet tea here in NC and so many times I have poured half-glasses out
into the sink after they have sat and soured - gotten hot, watered from ice melting and
no longer desirable - it is interesting you compare yourself to such an unfinished, wasted cup
of tea - I think most of us feel that way at times. Great analogy

[HoorayForUnderdog]

My favorite line...a coaster to provide dignity...rock on Mattavelli! Maybe the iced tea wouldnt depress you if you make iced Peppermint tea (my fav and no tannins)!!

[Angel's Lady]

I love this! What a great Florida poem, too! Damn right! Drink sweet tea or you ain't southern! Great job!

[Dark Daughters]

Reminds me of the old folks home