have a sip of tea

Beneath the tranquil, amber glow,

A pot of tea, its warmth aglow.

In the first sip, I see the light,

A brew so sweet, a gentle delight.

Chamomile and honey's blend,

Soothes the soul, a dear old friend.

In the midst of a world unknown,

A sanctuary, in tea, was sown.

As the pandemic's storm did brew,

Life transformed in shades of blue.

In tranquil moments, dreams took flight,

Woven into days and endless night.

Dreams, a tapestry, intertwined,

With hope and hardship, redefined.

In a world where many dreamed a dream,

A tale unfolded, or so it seemed.

Across digital landscapes, hearts in sync,

Friendships blossomed, not in a blink.

Transcending borders, defying oceans wide,

In unity, the world, we did abide.

Oceans crossed, not just in miles,

Experiences shared across many aisles.

In this uncharted territory we did roam,

A wild journey, far from home.

Some said a decade's change, so true,

In one tumultuous year, it grew.

Let me tell you of this grand affair,

An adventure wild, with love to spare.

Sending Zoom links, a digital plea,

To join us in a world set free.

Virtual realms, our newfound space,

Became our sanctuary, in this vast embrace.

I and friends online, a noble vision,

A mission born of pandemic's decision.

To support each other, the mission clear,

Navigating isolation's fear.

Zoom links became lifelines, intertwined,

In a world where isolation confined.

Zoom suits, formal on top, below, a joke,

Adaptability, in attire, we spoke.

Work from home, our daily stride,

A new rhythm in which we'd confide.

Necessity turned lifestyle, so true,

As our world transformed, me and you.

Some chatted endlessly, others found respite,

In conversation's warmth, through day and night.

While games like Among Us, Tetris, and Fall Guys,

Brought battles, laughter, and shared highs.

As days flowed into months, then into years,

Time melted away, shifting our gears.

As we stayed at home, creatures roamed free,

Nature's healing touch, for all to see.

Ozone layer mend, a testament to grace,

As animals roamed, in a world's embrace.

A pot of tea, a sanctuary in strife,

In this shared journey, we've found our life.

Amidst Asian hate and Black Lives Matter's plea,

Protests to turmoil, our world could see.

Stores bearing scars, amid unrest's might,

Masks became armor, concealing fright.

Homemade versions, simple shields we'd wear,

Against an invisible foe, a world to spare.

In the midst of storm and life's hard knock,

We stood as pillars, an unwavering rock.

Healthcare heroes on the front lines, we'd see,

Sacrificing for all, their light set free.

In black bags, tears, and whispered goodbyes,

Witnessing friends and kin, as sorrow flies.

Through screens, we'd watch, our hearts in pain,

Separated, yet connected, in love's refrain.

Nations closed borders, a clarion call,

Italy, China, Japan, one and all.

From Cambodia to France, across the globe,

A shared story, in hardship and in hope.

Families torn apart, a cruel divide,

ICE and bureaucracy, by their side.

Stranded souls, far from their home's embrace,

A world transformed, a challenging space.

Some smuggled alcohols, and cigarettes too,

A touch of rebellion, a daring debut.

Asian Hate's violence, a dark descent,

While Black Lives Matter, for justice, we went.

Stores broke, stores crumbled, in the face of hate,

Yet voices of change, rose to date.

Amidst heated words and bitter fights,

Love's undercurrent, in our hearts ignites.

Some caught in feelings, emotions strong,

Through turmoil and love, we'd all belong.

While others, like me, watched in awe,

In a world transformed, we'd find our draw.

Brown paper bags, vessels of care,

Delivered to those, unable to step and dare.

Quietly packed for the elderly, confined and still,

A gesture of kindness, hearts to fill.

Some drifted away, spaces unfilled,

In our digital tapestry, memories stilled.

Yet some remained, their voices strong,

A serenade through screens, where we all belong.

Others lingered, a balm for wounded hearts,

Through songs we'd heal, though worlds apart.

Hearts were broken, yet resilience did stand,

In this tale of courage, across the land.

Time seemed to stop, in the morning's ray,

As numbers rose, in the Hopkins display.

Sunsets painted golden, skies so vast,

A testament to endurance, a feeling steadfast.

Longing for a day, when we could meet,

In person's embrace, our journey complete.

And then, on one sunrise, dream turned real,

A moment in time, an emotion to feel.

They met, they touched, they laughed and embraced,

Two-dimensional avatars, in reality, faced.

Years flowed like rivers, carving their way,

Through the shared landscape, where memories lay.

In this tale of life's ever-evolving dance,

Chapters written in the ink of experience's trance.

---

Beneath a tranquil sky's embrace, a pot of tea so warm,

Imagined sips, a fleeting dream, where souls find calm and form.

In reverie, the tea unfurls, a scent of tales untold,

What flavor dances on your tongue, as moments gently fold?

Is it a brew, light and serene, a touch of nature's grace?

Or does it bear a hint of bitterness, a journey we must face?

Perhaps a blend of chamomile, with honey's gentle touch,

A soothing balm, a tender kiss, that eases burdens such.

For in a world upheaved and changed, by trials fierce and grand,

A pot of tea, a sanctuary, a refuge close at hand.

Its warmth, a tender, loving shroud, to shield from harsh realities,

Through days and nights, a constant friend, it offered sweet amenities.

Amidst this pandemic's wild ride, our lives took unforeseen turns,

In tranquil moments, dreams were born, as reality's fabric churns.

Dreams entwined with harsh truths, a tapestry of hope and strife,

Yet in our hearts, a fire burned, igniting the spark of life.

Did you, too, dream a dream, amidst the chaos and the fray?

For we, as one, dared to imagine, a brighter, new-born day.

A pandemic wove a tale of change, in digital realms we'd roam,

Crossing oceans, bridging gaps, finding solace far from home.

Friendships blossomed, borders blurred, in a world transformed and new,

Oceans crossed, not just in miles, but in shared experiences too.

In this uncharted territory, we charted paths unknown,

Our shared journey, wild and untamed, through landscapes we'd call home.

Some say a decade's trials are but a prelude to a year,

And in our story's vibrant tapestry, that truth became quite clear.

Let me share our tale of Create Together, an adventure, wild and warm,

As Zoom links flew like messengers, inviting hearts to swarm.

Each of us took on our roles, in duties, big and small,

Zoom, once a realm of novelty, now became our hall.

A vision sparked amongst a few, a mission born from care,

To aid our fellow members, lost in pandemic's snare.

Zoom links, once lifelines, connected souls across the screen,

In a world now shifted off its axis, they wove a bridge unseen.

Zoom suits, a jest, a nod to comfort, a symbol of our might,

Formality up top, and comfort down, in this digital twilight.

Work from home, a new refrain, echoed through our lives,

A rhythm bold, a dance untamed, in every heart, it thrives.

From endless chats to restless nights, we found our solace there,

Some battled foes in virtual games, a joyful, wild affair.

As days bled into endless months, and months into the years,

Time's passage, a muddled river, mingling hopes and fears.

Amidst the tumult, hate took root, and voices rang in pain,

Yet in the storm, the seeds of change, surged forth, a counterstrain.

Masks became our armor, in the face of an unseen foe,

Homemade shields, our silent pledge, against a common woe.

We stood as pillars, arms entwined, offering strength and care,

Sending care packages, notes of love, to hearts that needed to repair.

In the quiet hours, brown bags were filled, with love and silent grace,

Delivered to those who couldn't step beyond their homely space.

Some drifted away, their footsteps fading in the night,

Leaving spaces in our tapestry, where once they shone so bright.

Yet others stayed, their voices strong, serenading through the screen,

Their presence, a soothing balm, for souls that bore unseen.

Laughter echoed, hearts were light, in spite of trials faced,

Through songs, through tears, resilience stood, an unwavering embrace.

Time, it seemed, had paused its march, as we woke to each new day,

Yet it stretched and compressed, in endless loops, as numbers held their sway.

Sunrises painted skies in gold, a testament to our might,

A symbol of our fortitude, as we braved the darkest night.

We longed for days of face-to-face, of hugs and shared delight,

And then, one sunrise, dreams took flight, as shadows turned to light.

They met, as avatars transformed, to flesh and blood, and more,

In that moment, dreams came true, on that distant, sunlit shore.

Years flowed like rivers, carving paths through landscapes shared,

Laughter rang, adventures called, and countless memories were paired.

In a world of tea and strife, a sanctuary was found,

A pot of warmth, a refuge true, where dreams and hopes were bound.

As all stayed home, creatures roamed, through streets and alleys wide,

Nature, too, began to heal, with grace and quiet pride.

Ozone layers stitched their wounds, as we looked up to the sky,

A testament to nature's might, as time continued by.

Chapters written,

experiences etched, in the ink of time's embrace,

In this tale of life and change, we found our lasting place.

---

In a world of tea and strife,

A pot became our secret life.

Warm and cozy, a comforting brew,

Imagination took its cue.

Tea, light or bitter, sweet delight,

Chamomile and honey, oh so right!

Soothing senses, calm and kind,

In that moment, peace we find.

Dreams and reality entwined,

A tapestry, a crazy bind.

Through Zoom links, we'd connect,

In our Zoom suits, oh, what a sect!

Formal on top, comfy below,

A style that only Zoom could bestow.

Work from home, the new decree,

Pajamas all day, we felt so free!

Months to years, a blurry ride,

Time's lost count, we can't decide.

Heroes on screens, braving the fray,

Pants-less, but that's okay!

Black bags, tears, and Zoom farewells,

A pandemic's tale, more twists than wells.

Borders closed, but hearts reached wide,

A global story, no place to hide.

Families apart, a cruel twist,

ICE and borders, they persist.

Care packages, notes with cheer,

Bringing smiles, and maybe a tear.

Flowers on screens, a vibrant sight,

Brightening up the darkest night.

Facebook groups and auctions sprung,

In cyberspace, we all had fun.

Heated words, but love still stood,

In this wild tale of livelihood.

Some departed, but some stayed strong,

And laughter echoed all day long.

Songs were sung, and hearts were light,

Even on the darkest night.

Resilience, our guiding star,

Through it all, we've come so far.

Time stood still, or so it seemed,

As we watched numbers rise, we schemed.

Sunrises painted skies with gold,

A sign that we were brave and bold.

Dreams became real, we finally met,

Our Zoom friends in the flesh, no threat.

Avatars turned into real-life friends,

And the laughter, it never ends!

Years flowed on, a river wide,

Through laughter, we've enjoyed the ride.

Chapters written, experiences galore,

In this wild tale, we've found much more!

---

Amidst the strife, a pot aglow,

A sanctuary, where dreams may grow.

Warm tea, a gentle, soothing call,

Imagination dances, enthralls.

Light or bitter, sweet refrain,

Chamomile and honey's gentle reign.

Senses soothed, in tranquil grace,

Dreams and reality interlace.

A tapestry of hope untold,

Through wild terrain, our tale unfolds.

Zoom links bridge a world apart,

Lifelines stitched from heart to heart.

Suits of formality meet comfort's touch,

Adapted rhythms, they mean so much.

A homebound beat, a new embrace,

Life's dance finds a different pace.

Months and years, they meld as one,

In chaos wild, our journey spun.

Heroes brave, on frontlines stark,

Leaving whispers in the dark.

Black bags, tears, and distant farewells,

In shadows lean, our story dwells.

Borders closed, yet hearts reached far,

A shared chapter, a hopeful star.

Families torn, a bitter cost,

A turbulent wave, in fear we're lost.

Yet care packages, with smiles to spare,

Brought solace in the empty air.

Flowers on screens, a vibrant bloom,

A riot of color in the grey room.

Facebook's echo, voices strong,

In cyberspace, we all belong.

Heated words, yet love endures,

In every hardship, friendship lures.

Some departed, spaces grew,

Yet others stayed, their presence true.

Songs were sung, hearts both weak and strong,

Resilience, a silent, steady song.

Time, a river, flowing on,

Watching, waiting, for the dawn.

Sunrise paints the sky with gold,

A testament, we're brave and bold.

Dreams woven real, in bonds we find,

In each embrace, we leave behind.

Avatars, now friends so near,

In touchable joy, we hold them dear.

Years flowed, a river's stream,

In laughter shared, we found our dream.

Chapters written, inked in grace,

In every tale, a steadfast trace.

---

In a world transformed by strife,

A sanctuary, a pot of life.

Warm tea, a gentle plea,

Imagination sets it free.

Light or bitter, sweet embrace,

Chamomile and honey's grace.

Soothing senses, gentle, kind,

Tranquil moments in our mind.

Dreams entwined with stark reality,

A tapestry of hope and glee.

Through uncharted lands we tread,

Our shared journey, wild and spread.

Zoom links bridged the great divide,

A lifeline in a turbulent tide.

Suits of formality and ease,

Adapting to our new decrees.

Work from home, a rhythmic beat,

Echoing through life's winding street.

Pandemic's grip, a harsh decree,

Yet friendships bloom, we find the key.

Months to years, a blending flow,

A world in chaos, we bestow.

Heroes brave the front lines stark,

Separated, yet leaving a spark.

Black bags, tears, and farewells through screens,

A world transformed, in shadows lean.

Borders closed, yet hearts reached out,

A chapter in a tale of doubt.

Families torn, a cruel divide,

A wave of fear, a wild ride.

Yet care packages brought a smile,

A gesture going that extra mile.

Flowers brightened darkened days,

In screens adorned with vibrant blaze.

Facebook groups and auctions sprung,

In cyberspace, our voices sung.

Heated words, yet love prevails,

In every story, hardship sails.

Some departed, spaces grew,

Yet others stayed, their presence true.

Songs were sung, hearts were broken,

Resilience, the unspoken token.

Time stood still, then moved along,

Watching numbers rise, a somber song.

Sunrises painted golden hue,

A testament to me and you.

Dreams woven into reality,

Embraced in heartfelt finality.

Avatars to friends we held,

In tangible embrace, hearts swelled.

Years passed by, a flowing stream,

In shared laughter, we found our dream.

Chapters written, experiences inked,

In every tale, a spirit linked.

---

In a world transformed by strife, we found a pot of life,

A sanctuary, where troubles cease, a comforting respite.

Warm tea in porcelain, a gentle, soothing plea,

Imagination soared with every sip, unshackled, wild, and free.

Light or bitter, the taste we savored, sweet embrace,

Chamomile and honey's grace, a delicate, dreamy chase.

Soothing senses in the tranquil night's soft kiss,

In these moments, we found solace, pure and endless bliss.

Dreams and reality, an intricate tapestry they wove,

Hope and hardship, intertwined, a testament of love.

Through uncharted lands, we ventured, side by side,

Our shared journey, wild and wide, a rollercoaster ride.

Zoom links, our lifelines, bridged the chasm's divide,

In Zoom suits, we laughed and shared, our spirits couldn't hide.

Formality on top, comfort below, our unique attire,

In the digital realm, we found connection's warming fire.

Work from home, the new rhythm of our days,

A lifestyle born of necessity, in its unique ways.

Months to years, a blurry blend of time's embrace,

In this pandemic odyssey, we found our sacred space.

Heroes on screens, on the frontlines, they stood stark,

Separated from their loved ones, their sacrifice left a mark.

Black bags, tears, and Zoom farewells, a poignant theme,

As we bore witness to their courage, like a shining beam.

Borders closed, yet hearts reached out, a global plea,

Each nation's chapter in this shared story, for all to see.

Families torn apart, by bureaucracy's cold hand,

A world in turmoil, together we made our stand.

Care packages with heartfelt notes, a gesture pure,

Brought smiles to those who needed it, of this we're sure.

Flowers on screens, a vibrant burst of color in the gray,

Brightening our darkest hours, lighting our way.

Facebook groups and online auctions, connections anew,

In the digital soil, friendships flourished and grew.

Heated words, disagreements, but love never ceased,

In this rollercoaster ride of life, we found our inner peace.

Some departed, spaces left, a bittersweet farewell,

Yet others remained, their presence, a comforting swell.

Songs were sung, hearts both joyful and broken,

Resilience, our guiding star, our unspoken token.

Time seemed to stand still, then moved along, it seems,

As we watched numbers rise, in pandemic's endless dreams.

Sunrises painted skies in gold, a daily sight,

A symbol of our strength, our courage taking flight.

Dreams became reality on a glorious sunrise's glow,

As we met our virtual friends, our spirits in a warm flow.

Avatars turned into real-life friends, flesh and bone,

In their embrace, we found our true home.

Years flowed on, a river wide, in laughter's gentle stream,

In this wild and heartwarming tale, we found our dream.

Chapters written in the ink of our shared delight.

---

ORIGINAL:
have a pot of tea.
imagine sipping from a warm pot of tea.
when you take that first sip, 
what type of tea did you imagine drinking?
is it light? 
bitter? 
sweet?
was the flavor, 
a delicate blend of chamomile and honey? 
soothing your senses with its gentle sweetness?
'cause in a world transformed by a pandemic,
a pot of tea became a sanctuary.
its warmth embraced us, 
a refuge from realities. 
throughout the pandemic, 
our lives transformed in unpredictable ways. 
in that tranquil moment, 
dreams are woven into reality.
dreams intertwined with reality, 
a tapestry woven with hope and hardship.
so did you dream a dream?
'cause we did. 
ever wonder how one pandemic has changed all of us.
for the better or not, 
it depend.
across digital landscapes, 
crossing oceans.
we found solace in newfound friendships from corners of the world we'd never have explored otherwise.
new friendships blossomed, 
transcending borders, 
defying oceans. 
oceans were crossed, 
not just in miles but in experiences shared.
we navigated this uncharted territory, 
how was yours like?
ours was wild.
our shared journey wild and untamed. 
some said sometimes it takes ten years to get that one year that changes your life,
ours did.
let me tell you our story for Create Together. 
and you can decide on what you think.
our was an adventure, 
wild and heartwarming. 
i was just sending out a ton of zoom links to everyone to join.
each doing our duties.
zoom, the once-cool virtual realm, became our sanctuary.
I and a few friends met online had a vision to just help a few members passed through a pandemic since we were stuck at home. 
a few online friends and I embarked on a mission to support fellow members navigating the pandemic's isolation. 
zoom links became lifelines, 
when zoom used to be super cool lol
connecting us in a world that had shifted its axis.
zoom suits – a suit top, boxers below – were the unofficial attire. lol
pantless.
zoom suits became our armor, 
blending formality with comfort, 
a symbol of our adaptability. 
work from home became a hit.
work from home echoed through the corridors of our lives, 
a new rhythm to dance to. 
work from home evolved from a necessity into a lifestyle. 
other chatted them up
some of us chatted endlessly, 
some found solace in chatter,
while loosing sleep.
other play game game
while others battled it out in games like among us, tetris, and fall guys.
as days turned into months, 
and months into years, 
the days, months, and years melted together.
Asian hate crimes and the Black Lives Matter movement rose to prominence. protests turned into turmoil, 
and stores bore the scars of unrest.
masks became mandatory, 
and homemade versions appeared. 
in this storm,
we became pillars for each other.
and as we witnesses some healthcare workers braving the front as they cannot stay at home like the rest of us, 
which was a privilege.
we witnessed healthcare heroes on the frontlines, 
separated from their loved ones. 
bearing witness to heroes on the front lines, 
their sacrifice a beacon of light. 
for them, 
home was a distant memory, 
and farewells were whispered through screens.
and some watching their friends and family passing away.
in black bags,
burned,
tears fell while they cannot even see their family or friends.
just through a small phone's screen,
or even that.
countries keep popping up on screen of closing their border...
broadcasting loud and clear.
Italy,
China,
Japan,
Taiwan,
Australia,
New Zealand,
Singapore,
Vietnam,
S. Korea,
Thailand,
Indonesia,
UK etc
borders closed indefinitely, 
nations stood still, 
yet we reached out across the divide. 
Italy, 
China, 
Japan, 
Taiwan, 
Cambodia, 
South Africa,
France, 
Australia, 
New Zealand, 
Singapore, 
Vietnam, 
S. Korea, 
Thailand, 
Indonesia, 
UK—each a chapter in their shared story.
the world's borders closed,
families were torn apart, 
and a wave of fear and uncertainty swept over us.
family being separated because of ICE
some got stuck outside of the countries,
families torn asunder, 
a cruel reality at the hands of bureaucracy. 
some were stranded, 
separated from the land they called home. 
some smuggle alcohols and cigarette across borders.
Asian Hates started to turn violent
Black Lives Matter rose, 
demanding justice and equality.
stores break in,
stores crumbled, 
amidst it all, 
hate surged, 
but so did the voices of change. 
masks mandate started to be enforce more,
masks became our armor.
homemade masks started to happen
homemade shields against the invisible enemy.
we were each other pillars
in each other's arm, 
we found strength. 
so we send care packages to just bring a smile to them.
care packages with heartfelt notes brought smiles to those who needed them most. 
care packages carried more than just supplies; 
they held a piece of our hearts.
and our thanks.
trolls roamed,
and friendships deepened. 
laughter echoed, 
sometimes teetering on the edge of hysteria. 
while some almost had a heart attack while swimming
we then sent flowers to brighten dark days. 
flowers adorned our screens,
a riot of color in the grey monotony. 
then
facebook groups sprouted and popping, 
connections flourishing in the digital soil.
as more facebook groups emerged, 
and online auctions became a trend.
auctioneer's gavels echoed through cyberspace, 
bidding for hope, 
for change. 
some heated words turned into fights.
words, once soft, grew sharp, 
amidst heated words and disagreements, we persevered. 
some caught feeling
some felt the weight of their feelings, 
but love remained the undercurrent.
others like myself were clueless of it all.
brown paper bags became vessels of care, delivered to those who could not step beyond their thresholds.
while others quietly packed brown paper bags for the elderly, 
who remained confined to their homes.
some drifted away from us,
from the journey,
departed,
leaving spaces in our digital tapestry. 
some remained.
while others stayed, 
their voices serenading us through the screen. 
others lingered, 
their presence a balm for wounded souls. 
songs were sung, 
hearts were broken, 
and yet, 
resilience prevailed.
time seems to stop
time seemed to stand still as we woke up each day, 
it stretched and compressed, 
as we wakes up every morning just watching that Hopkins virus' numbers increases by mere seconds.
watching the rising count of COVID cases.
marked by the unyielding climb of the Hopkins Covid counter. 
watching countless sunsets and sunrises
that golden lights painted the sky, 
each one a testament to our endurance.
longing for the day when we could meet in person. 
then on one sunrise, 
as if a dream woven into reality, 
and then, 
they had their real first met up
they met.
on one glorious sunrise, 
their dreams came true. 
the 2D avatars on our screens,
transformed into 4D friends we could touch and embrace.
2D turn into 4D version people who we can actually touch, like for real.
two-dimensional avatars became flesh and blood, 
tangible and real. 
we touched, 
we laughed,
and for the first time, 
we truly felt.
they are real people 
they were real, 
tangible people, 
then years passed
and the years that followed were filled with shared laughter, 
adventures, 
and countless memories.
years flowed like rivers, 
carving their way through the landscape of our shared existence.
the story continued, 
its chapters written in the ink of experiences.

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