A new fragrance

 

"Smell", from Allegory of the Senses by Jan Brueghel the Elder

 

For the last quarter of a century, I’ve
used fragrance-free soap, shampoo, and cleaning
supplies to please an allergic brother.
But he still can’t visit.  Dryer sheet and
laundry soap odors linger in shared halls.
They even itch my non-allergic nose.
 
And I am too aware of all smells from hidden
cigarettes to front-and-center cookies,
mint, asphalt, fire and ICE, and distant guns.
I long for fragrance that doesn’t exist—
one that adds a layer of silk to my
body, bath, bedtime, dream time, and dawn.
 
My fragrance would leave room for floral and
forest scents, it would evoke sea and sand.
Eyes closed, I could choose to bask in my cave
of scent, or reach out for scent-scapes I crave
like a room of new books, or the comfort of peace,  
like orchards and baking, or a cave with you.  

 

For Sumana's prompt "Fragrance" at What's Going On? 

 

My blog poems are rough drafts.

Please respect my copyright.

© 2025 Susan L. Chast