Fighting Words: Tea Fever

Anthony Vahni Capildeo

open your hand

                              the souls of boys on tea plantations

a delicate flower

                              the souls of British boys on tea plantations

step back deeply

                              the souls of whiteboys on tea plantations

ready to float off

                              the souls of soyboys on tea plantations


           Who died overseas, who died hot as leaves

           steeping for the comfort drink of painted leisure


no weight on it at all


           who died in another climate 

           on another parallel


keep it circular


           who danced in no reserved monasteries 

           who witnessed no goddess bleeding


ready


           who/what/where would you kill 

           why would you


kill


           It whistles like a bird 

           but was not a bird


                              I was an economic migrant

                              a fine young man

                              of course my sister stayed at home

relax
                              I was asleep inside the steam

                              of your morning cup of char

                              let me sink back

be wise to spirals

                              I was tucked into the fragrance

                              of our monoculture

                              let me return


This poem is part of a series. Click here to read “Fighting Words: Broken Heating,” here to read “Fighting Words: Arrivals,” and here to read “Fighting Words: Peace and All Good.”
Anthony Vahni Capildeo is a Trinidadian Scottish writer of poetry and nonfiction. They are a writer in residence and professor at the University of York.
Originally published:
September 8, 2025

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