By Lynne, a volunteer for Chat over Chai
Chat over Chai, talk over tea,
History, herstory, mystory, yourstory,
Who am I? What am I?
What is the difference?
Roles and identities, doorways and pathways
Am I still now, will I be always
a teacher a mother a learner a lover?
a wife a widow a body, a shadow ?
Nest now empty sadly alone
Ageing perceptibly, invisibility
Finding new families now mine is gone.
‘What’ you are changes ‘Who’ you are stays
the essence of you ‘til the end of your days.
With Love’s light inside to inspire and guide,
We give and receive, hope and believe.
Chat over Chai, talk over tea,
this a place for discovery
History herstory mystory yourstory
Stories and memories pasts that define
I’ll learn about yours, you’ll learn about mine
Friendships developing, laughter and empathy
Sharing and caring, truth and equality
Chat over Chai, a nice cup of cha –
with love in your hearts come just as you are.
Lynne wrote this poem about Portsmouth’s Chat over Chai group, find out more about the group in her S&C article. A shortened version of this poem appears on a sari the Chat over Chai group made to celebrate the role of the Women’s Royal Indian Naval Service, WRINS.
Chat over Chai runs every Thursday at 12.30pm – 2.30pm at the Havelock Community Centre, 324 Fawcett Road, PO4 0LQ. Why not head along and check it out?
