NEPHART.COM

Whenever I smell a cup of tea

the aroma carries me back

to that moment

outside the theatre

at a rooftop café

where she asked me

if I had ever loved someone

as much as I loved her

I had no answer

just a smile

she said

she understood

I always dive too deeply

into things

and while thinking

of what to say

while looking into her eyes

I kept opening

sachet after sachet of sugar

and pouring them into my tea

without even noticing

she laughed

and said

this is going to be

too sweet for you

I’ll order another cup

and somehow

that gave me the answer

I couldn’t say before

I told her

I once loved someone

with all the sweetness

I had

but maybe

it became too much for her

so she went looking

for something

a little less sweet

maybe a little bitter

maybe simply better

for her

it wasn’t her fault

some people like their tea

a different way

she was a good person

there was no need

to compare her with anyone

just like you

she looked at me

for a moment

then suddenly

picked up my cup

and took a sip

I told her

it’s too sweet

she smiled

I know

but I can still drink it

until the last drop

and then she said

if the tea becomes too sweet

we can always change the tea

we don’t have to

throw away the whole cup