Distill oil, soft as vanilla
Musky as sandalwood
Imagine words
dripping
lashing
their own distinct
perfume
on your fingers
II. First bite into apple
Tangs your tongue
crisp as morning rain
Bottle it-
spring's perfume
III. Wound the tree
repeatedly until myrrh gum
bleeds
darkens the parched bones-
The perfume of sorrow
IV. Witness the pearl
growing a thin amber of silk wings
upon another layer, threads
mirroring light
deep
into roots-
The harmony of music
is perfume
V. Moonlight on your arms
Fire in your eyes
The fruit of my desire
There is no perfume
headier than
you
Posted for D'verse Poets Pub - Meeting the Bar - Hosted by Anna
Thanks for the visit ~
Nice ones, Grace. I think I prefer 'spring perfume.' Smiles.
ReplyDeleteI particularly like the second stanza. It reminded me of Granny Smiths and how apple scented shampoos were popular and now seem to have disappeared.
ReplyDeleteEach is a pearl strung together to create a whole that conveys beauty and class. Really lovely work, very evocative!
ReplyDeleteFive stand alone stanza, strung together as olfactory poetics; nicely done. My favorite is #4, with the harmony of music.
ReplyDeleteEach stanza - beautiful, like the pearl layers creating a lovely fragrance or unique necklace to be worn and enjoyed by others. "the perfume of sorrow" - yes, even sorrow has its own smell. and the last - oh my.
ReplyDeleteGrace, these are all lovely, but together they make a lovely strand of pearls. I, IV, V are beautifully woven.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason III, the perfume of sorrow, resonated with me. They are all beautiful and I like the title and the follow-through on your promise if 5 ways. Peace, Linda
ReplyDeleteSo seductive poem...My fav. line: 'The harmony of music
ReplyDeleteis perfume ' and all the last stanza. Beautiful poem, Grace x
Gorgeous. These drip with the scent of a passionate bouquet. My favorites are the first and the final two.
ReplyDeleteAnd the perfume of the sweat of dance goes so much farther than a smell of life..:)
ReplyDeleteOh I like the myrrh and pearl perfume...very unique.
ReplyDeletesensuous~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ flow..............```````````````````````````````
ReplyDeleteeach one is strong enough to stand alone. A beautiful piece; I especially liked 'III'
ReplyDeletelove them all...no. 4 a little specially...
ReplyDeleteOh! Give me the moonlight one, while keeping the others standing by. Haunting!
ReplyDeleteLovely words for a sensory experience.
ReplyDeleteI love how you mix the senses here.. somehow I reflect about how the people mixing perfumes talk about it as composing, where each component is a note... and real perfumes (except for teens) mix them all to blend into a total experience.
ReplyDeleteSmell and taste seem to be the most neglected senses in our writing - and yet they are the most evocative, can trigger such vivid memories! I love how you used them here.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful descriptions, Grace, and a sensitive last stanza (my favorite).
ReplyDeleteThe last sure isn't a bad one to have upon you haha
ReplyDeleteWow...these fill the senses!
ReplyDeleteGrace, you always capture such emotion in your poetry- this is lovely.
ReplyDeletePerfect. All together. Delicate and just perfect. Thank you :-)
ReplyDeleteVery nice, Grace..suitable and refreshing words seem to come easily to you. Each stanza has is unique 'essence' if you will.
ReplyDeletestunning imagery...these weave well together.
ReplyDeletea very sensual piece grace. Lovely!
ReplyDeleteSo playful, so fragrant -- loved the tour ! Nicely done.
ReplyDeleteEach stanza is so sweet and aromatic, the first one being my favourite. :)
ReplyDeleteOh my. These are all beautiful. I especially like how the last stanza ties into the image of the nude lovers. Musky, succulent scents here.
ReplyDeleteHey, Grace, all the words in my poem are words actually imported into English and used in English -- not "another language". Well, except for "En" (my favorite word), which I linked to explain.
ReplyDeleteJust wanted you to know I was not trying to be vague. Many English speakers actually know their meaning and may use them in their normal English.
Just like "Myrrh gum" used in your, which I had to look up — imported from Semitic roots. It was fun to learn about.
No perfume beats the human kind male or female. There is a musk feel in both! Great lines Grace!
ReplyDeleteHank
Beautiful, Grace! so, many gorgeous lines. I love the fifth stanza~ Moonlight on your arms-wow~
ReplyDeleteluxurious, Grace. good weekend to you ~
ReplyDeletebeautiful G
ReplyDelete