One Single Impression: Fragrance

IMG 8542,

In summertime dampness like a thief
Finds its way into the pores of old wood
And takes the past
To make a gift of it

To the present

This is not a noble gesture
But a thing that happens.

For me it is a happy accident.

It takes from the ruins of my inheritance
The fragrance of wood fires and coal
The distant scent of Christmas--
Wrapping paper and turkey grease
Pumpkin pies and apple--
My grandmother's ruby red lipstick,
The press of her kiss on my cheek
That said

I am glad you are here now.

The press of her kiss on my cheek
That said

I love you, child.

In summertime dampness like a thief
Takes from the ruins of my inheritance
The boxwood incense of nights that

Seem never to end

But are gone in the blink of an eye

I breathe in the bounty
Of summertime dampness
Sit with my grandfather over breakfast
One more time
And wonder when
My grandmother will awake
And join us.

I never quite know what to say.
We are quiet together.

I breathe.
I dream.
I blink

And it's over.

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35 Comments

  1. "I blink and it's over"
    so true! That's how I feel about July.

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  2. "It takes from the ruins of my inheritance
    The fragrance of wood fires and coal
    The distant scent of Christmas--
    Wrapping paper and turkey grease
    Pumpkin pies and apple--
    My grandmother's ruby red lipstick,
    The press of her kiss on my cheek"

    I read and re-read the above.

    BTW, I hate July. It is so humid here and doesn't get over any time soon.

    clutch your fragrance to myself

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  3. I blink and its over. Awww. Lovely poem

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  4. Life is a bit like that. It is shooting by so quickly. I am a bit scared to blink too much! LOL!
    Lovely deep poem.

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  5. Anonymous3:52 AM

    Nice.....Lovely set of verses and an amazing pic to suit it, in season!

    I loved the last set of verses..It is as though you just read your mind to us!!

    Beautiful..Keep writing so well..:)

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  6. This poem fills my senses and makes my heart strings vibrate. Beautiful and so alive.

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  7. zoya gautam8:08 AM

    modernism ( so called - ) seems to scowl at sentimentality _

    i like it a lot
    _

    when it is created without the employment of obvious tools -

    - as in this poem above .. many thanks ..

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  8. lovely poem that captures the essence of the past and your memories

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  9. That is lovely and poignant.

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  10. lovely --the link between fragrance and memory!

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  11. This was absolutely lovely, and so poignant. Your memories were crystal clear, and I could feel myself right there with you, in the midst of your grandmother's and grandfather's loving presence. Beautiful! I, too, wrote about my grandmother.

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  12. This is just lovely Sandy! What a great take on the prompt.

    Hugs, G

    PS: I wrote you a reply re: your McIntosh ???, over at MPP. Hope it's helpful.
    Also, when you can correct, my name is misspelled over at OSI. Whenever, no big deal.

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  13. You've captured the briefness and depth of the experience here. Lovely.

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  14. Wow! "Takes from the ruins of my inheritance". That is such a powerful, evocative image and sensory exploration. It's as if the dampness were the ethereal ghosts of your family. I love it!

    Kat

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  15. Love your photo - LOVE your verse! You are just TOO creative!!

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  16. Just wonderful, Sandy. Rub your eyes, it might come back!
    My Grandma was my refuge and my friend. She has been gone too, for ages.
    ..

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  17. Lovely. Makes me feel like I'm 12 again-and it's summer.

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  18. it is so true that certain smells bring back memories!thanks for such a lovely poem My Dear Friend!

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  19. “The press of her kiss on my cheek”
    I never knew what to say either. I guess no words are needed.

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  20. Sandy your words are so beautiful and the picture tells a story.

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  21. Such are the sweet fragrances of life ... enjoyed the read.

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  22. the distant scent of christmas <-- this line made me long for christmas

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  23. so sad & fleeting...yet, i want to wrap myself in these beautiful words

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  24. Your words are full of the spirit of memories and summer. I breathed it in as I read it.

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  25. This spoke to so many closets in my heart which I have not visited for a long while..

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  26. Anonymous3:58 PM

    Your poem reminds of opening up camp for the first time each summer, and there they are summer scents, the same forever.

    This one got me thinking, Sandy.

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  27. I breathe..I blink..and this work is Divine. Wonderful capture of fragrance!

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  28. Tender and touching, a lovely tribute to time's fragrance.

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  29. Anonymous12:36 PM

    I never wanted this poem to get over !!

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  30. Simple words evoke memories of treasured moments!

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  31. Simple words evoke memories of treasured moments!

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  32. This is one of my favorite of yours, Sandy. I liked the repetition and the stuttered stops within the poem - making it a fitful dream.

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  33. Thank you for the lovely poem.

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  34. Ok- Sandy- I admit it- this really made me tear up- alright- cry. This is so beautiful and it is so so true; blink and they are gone"...so many memories and special people...
    Loved the picture- that is gorgeous!! I loved your nighttime photo shoot as well- I am intigued by the night and all it has to hold...

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  35. Sometimes...I get the feeling that life is but a blink and then it is gone...but it is wonderful when we have planted seeds during our time.

    My family left many seeds for me to enjoy as I have traveled on my journey in this space of time travel.

    I hope I have done the same for future generations.

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Thanks for being here.