Can Humans Smell Beauty
Can Humans Smell Beauty
She sensed him more and more
when he was no more.
His scent filled hands otherwise vacant.
“I can’t” was all she would have said,
had she said.
The scent was not of rot, or cold,
but of the boldly fresh, the warm,
that is to say, a child’s head,
sun suddenly, the sweetness of just sitting
on a picnic table
or swing,
the aroma of singing or of being able
to sing,
what you hold to your breast when you notice
your heart beating,
or hurting,
that kind of thing,
what you hold to your breast
when it’s your heart you would hold.
****************************
For Magaly Guerrero’s prompt on Real Toads, which included the great question, which is the title here. It doesn’t quite work as the title, but I haven’t come up with something else.
The drawing is also mine (Karin Gustafson). As always, all rights reserved.
Explore posts in the same categories: drawings, poetryTags: can humans smell beauty (certainly loss), http://withrealtoads.blogspot.com, Karin Gustafson poetry, loss, manicddaily
You can comment below, or link to this permanent URL from your own site.
ManicDDaily 
February 17, 2019 at 3:56 pm
This so reminds me of my aunt and the way she kept my uncle’s sweaters for their scent… in the absence you will hold on to the scent….
February 17, 2019 at 8:41 pm
Those closing lines are especially perfect, Karin. Wonderful!
February 17, 2019 at 9:59 pm
Certain scents bring specific people to mind. Your poem is the smell of longing to me.
February 18, 2019 at 2:29 pm
Debby–thanks. I am not sure of your blog now as I couldn’t gain access. Sorry not to visit! Let me know what it is. k.
February 17, 2019 at 11:59 pm
We hold what is dear to our hearts. This thought got my attention, ” … was all she would have said, had she said.” I have not other words for it, it’s a mind twister. Nice to see you back, I hope you are okay. 🙂
..
February 18, 2019 at 12:03 am
So true. Beauty holds the scent of love and lost and more.
February 18, 2019 at 1:33 am
oh my, k. thank you ~
February 18, 2019 at 2:28 pm
Thank you so much, M–hope all well as can be! k.
March 31, 2019 at 12:57 am
not that good, but given the larger world, my little problems pale. back to read this and it flies arrow straight ~
February 18, 2019 at 11:57 am
My goodness this is the most tender and beautiful piece of writing ever, K! ❤️
February 18, 2019 at 7:16 pm
Out of the blue a scent will arrive and I am enfolded in a memory. This is so beautifully written.
February 19, 2019 at 3:24 am
Ah, the poignancy reaches its peak with the sensitivity and tenderness of these images and the ensuing smells of beauty. It’s so bittersweet to read these lines time and again (and again):
“the aroma of singing or of being able
to sing,
what you hold to your breast when you notice
your heart beating,
or hurting”
February 19, 2019 at 6:10 am
So beautiful, Karin. My favorite line, “that kind of thing” perfect here.
February 19, 2019 at 8:53 am
Thanks so much, Marian.
>
February 19, 2019 at 10:26 am
what you hold to your breast
This poem touches me deeply.