Shoes With New Strings: Poems of Domestic Wondering
by Dahlia Parrish
Smashwords Edition
Copyright 2012
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Table of Contents
Life is flavored with scents that tug at me like
a gentle drug or a song. My strong sense of smell
compels me to tell of my love. I love
the smell of the sun-soaked salty breeze
by the sea. An olfactory melody, tickling my brain.
The fresh smell of soil after the rain.
The smell of bread rising in the oven, a mother’s
show of loving. Of just baked chocolate chip cookies,
vanilla filling the air. My heart swells.
The smell of Grandma’s laundered linens
drying on the line, swaying in the sunshine.
Memories wrap around these fragrant spells.
(Nighttime is When I Loved You Most)
First, I remember you falling asleep in my arms as you sipped your last few drops of imitation milk, your eyes looking up at me - possibly curious - blinking with those enviably long lashes. The blinks getting slower and heavier as you drifted off. I didn’t care about my arm going numb. You smelled of innocence, of baby shampoo and wipes. You made me think I’d want my own little you.
I remember your golden brown ringlets and matching eyes that twinkled, skin so smooth and sun-ready, and dimples suddenly appearing as you giggled with delight. Your beauty captivated me, and I stared at you while you ate your chicken nuggets. You talked and talked about things I shouldn’t know, but it was our little secret.