02 July 2025

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


10 comments:

  1. Anonymous7/02/2025 9:14 AM

    Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Anonymous7/03/2025 7:32 AM

      People......... For me its not a choice. Its a health requirement.

      Delete
  2. Sumana Roy7/02/2025 10:25 AM

    The first stanza reminds me of my own allergic reaction to Chatim flowers ( I think it's Milkwood in English, not sure). I love all the associations that every fragrance evokes.
    "I long for fragrance that doesn’t exist—
    one that adds a layer of silk to my
    body, bath, bedtime, dream time, and dawn." How beautiful!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Sherry Blue Sky7/02/2025 10:39 AM

    I love the forest and sea scents......your closing stanza appeals especially.

    ReplyDelete
  4. rallentanda7/02/2025 3:11 PM

    Well that is the benefit of being a poet. You can close your eyes and choose to be anywhere you want and enjoy the scent scapes you crave. Lovely poem tinged with a little sadness.

    ReplyDelete
  5. Mary7/02/2025 4:35 PM

    I like how your poem mentioned the fragrances of things in our environment, sometimes not very pleasant-- asphalt and hidden cigarettes &. the very subtle mention of ICE. Ah, the smell of a room of new books sounds heavenly to me! And sorry that your brother doesn't visit.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Jae Rose7/03/2025 12:01 AM

    What a thoughtful meditation - on the personal and also wider wishes and scents we hope for - Jae

    ReplyDelete
  7. Intelliblog7/03/2025 8:44 AM

    We are assailed by scent in the modern world, and many modern perfumes are cocktails of synthetic chemicals that always make me wince with displeasure. I can understand your aversion to scents, yet at the same time desire to have an ideal non-scent scent! Lovely poem, Susan.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Jennifer Wagner7/03/2025 10:34 AM

    Flowers, forests, sea, sand and books!! Oh, yes.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Becky7/03/2025 1:20 PM

    Ugh. Dryer sheets. Can't use them. Can't be near anyone who does. Sneezy and itchy. Love your poem!

    ReplyDelete

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