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Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

0 posted 2000-03-15 05:04 PM

The Scent of You

Before you were my mother,
you were porcelain-skin youth
and eyes the color of a foggy day sea.
I know that hint of smile
in the glass frame
with traces of sunset lit hair,
it is a picture of you
staying.

Just dipped
finger in Chanel No.5,
behind each ear,
was the scent of you
leaving.

Shaded good books
and clothes line strung
with gathering sunlight,
hunched over pick up sticks
and hand-cut paper dolls,
this cool sun-dried sheet,
the scent of you
staying.

I never saw you
in the Petunia
until I found one
in my garden
and breathed
the scent of you
staying.

I search for
arch of lid
breath of flower
and trace my finger
on the cold mirror
and see you in me
staying.

I breathe you
for you remain behind each ear
with scent of you
leaving.

And home still lingers
sleeping in sun-dried sheets,
the scent of you
staying.

[This message has been edited by Martie (edited 03-16-2000).]

Janet Marie
Member Laureate

since 2000-01-22

Posts 18554

1 posted 2000-03-15 05:14 PM

Martie this is SO beautiful and PERFECT

this really touched me...
i have a small sachet of Chantilly powder from my grandmother...when ever I want to rememeber what her hugs were like...I take in that fragrance and she is there.
thanks for sharing this.
take care, jm

Rosemary J. Gwaltney
Senior Member

since 1999-08-26

Posts 997
northern mountains, Idaho

2 posted 2000-03-15 05:23 PM

Oh, Martie, this is absolutely lovely. Yes, scents do linger in our memories, like melodies, to surprise us any time at all. And yes, I can see my mother in my mirror too. Tears, my friend. Tears. A strong, well-worded poem.

PoeticKnight
Senior Member

since 2000-01-20

Posts 1144
New Orleans, LA

3 posted 2000-03-15 05:29 PM

Now this is poetry.....so beautiful...the words...the format....the staying and the leaving....Very Excellent.

Rex Allen McCoy
Member Elite

since 2000-01-30

Posts 2863
Sippin a Timmy's in London

4 posted 2000-03-15 06:48 PM

I'm lucky enough to still have my mother and father but your poem does remind me of the little things that can spark a reminisce of a loved one from our past ... I quite often see my kids as toddlers and it strikes pangs of longing in my heart to relive those days

Rex}<{{{{o>

Denise

Moderator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-08-22

Posts 22648

5 posted 2000-03-15 06:55 PM

'and see you in me
staying'

Oh, Martie, I absolutely love that line! Beautiful, touching poem!

Denise

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

6 posted 2000-03-15 08:11 PM

Martie, your poetry always makes scents to me. Another beautiful work....

Marge Tindal

Member Empyrean

since 1999-11-06

Posts 42384
Florida's Foreverly Shores

7 posted 2000-03-15 08:23 PM

Oh, Martie~
You've squeezed my heart.
Images come in rapid fissure.
Mirrored reflection shows
she lives on in me.

Tears of easy-remembering send me to the
chiffonier ... wrapping me in her scent
left on delicate lace.

One small bottle of Joy, unopened,
holding her scent for all time.
I caress the smoothness of the crystal bottle.
Now I fully understand the note
she tucked in the box.

Darling daughter ... something to remember me by ..
Love Mother 10/12/94

Martie ... thank you.
~*Marge*~

[This message has been edited by Marge Tindal (edited 03-15-2000).]

bboog
Member

since 2000-02-29

Posts 303
Valencia, California

8 posted 2000-03-15 09:19 PM

Martie, this is a sweet poem and I liked it. I think that some of us olfactory impaired men (like me) would like a descriptive phrase after Chanel No. 5. You know exactly how it smells. The challenge is to describe it to me (the reader) so that I can relate immediately to it. (Some of us may not know that smell simply by the name Chanel No. 5) Yet if I say freshly mowed grass, you might instantly know the scent.
Also the line "sleeping in sun-dried sheets" might work better "snuggled in sun-dried sheets" ? Your call.
Hopefully this doesn't annoy you too much.
bboog

hoot_owl_rn
Member Patricius

since 1999-07-05

Posts 10750
Glen Hope, PA USA

9 posted 2000-03-15 09:37 PM

Martie...this is so touching. Always your imagery is delightful

Nan

Administrator

Member Seraphic

since 1999-05-20

Posts 21191
Cape Cod Massachusetts USA

10 posted 2000-03-15 10:55 PM

This is wonderful, Martie.. It's a great tribute..

Severn
Member Rara Avis

since 1999-07-17

Posts 7704

11 posted 2000-03-16 12:43 PM

Well Martie - got any of that oxygen I find you happen to take away whenever I read one of your poems? Whatcha trying to do - kill me??

K

'Writing sharpens life;
life enriches writing'
Sylvia Plath

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

12 posted 2000-03-16 10:40 AM

Janet Marie--I am so glad that this touched you and brought back your own memories.

Rosemary--Isn't it nice to be able to see her everyday in yourself, she must have been beautiful.

JML--Your excellent made me smile

Rex Allen--Yes it is wonderful, those triggers and memories--I have a few toddler ones too

Denise--I'm so glad my poem touched you

Balladeer--Your reply scent me--and smiled my face

Marge--your reply brought tears--thank you sweet friend

bboog--I think you missed the point

Ruth--Thank you for always touching me with your replies

Nan--she was a wonderful woman

Kamla--You want to exchange oxygen containers?

suthern

Member Seraphic

since 1999-07-29

Posts 20723
Louisiana

13 posted 2000-03-16 10:53 AM

Martie: I always know I'm in for a treat when I open one of your poems... this is delightful!!!

LoveBug

Moderator

Member Elite

since 2000-01-08

Posts 4697

14 posted 2000-03-16 11:02 AM

WOW, this is a wonderful poem! Butterscotch always reminds me of my grandmother!

Keep up the good work!

"We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars." -Oscar Wilde

RainbowGirl
Member Elite

since 1999-07-31

Posts 3023
United Kingdom

15 posted 2000-03-16 11:31 AM

Martie: I love this, the images it conjures up and the memories as well..

I have always worn Opium, (I did dab a little on the screen so I hope it can be smelt, in case no one knows the smell)...oooops, shame on me..*g*...and a few times someone has remarked that they smelt it somewhere and thought of me...and when I've been working, I've been tracked by the smell as well..LOL..i.e. they know I've been in an office cause the scent lingers on...I guess not many women wear it but I adore it, makes me smile just to smell it..

Big HUSG

I love the way I look in your eyes, I'm just me tho'...
We are all works in progress, no?

Martie

Moderator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-09-21

Posts 28049
California

16 posted 2000-03-16 05:15 PM

Suthern--I feel the same about yours

Love Bug--Thanks for the Wow--and butterscotch--sensory memories are wonderful!

RG--Makes me want to go out and test some Opium, so I can think of you...you are so sweet.

Pepper
Member Elite

since 1999-08-19

Posts 3079
Southern Florida

17 posted 2000-03-16 05:59 PM

I'm with Kamla ... hey... please pass the oxygen....
Martie, this made me think of my grandmother, Her scent of choice was lavander ....
Another perfect and most beautiful piece ...
Love,
Shannon

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