SCENTED REMINISCENCES

SCENTED REMINISCENCES

Arid smoke from burning wood,
Little nibbling when no one looked.
Roasted peanuts in charcoal briers,
Tangy smells of food being cooked.

Sweet sandalwood of incense sticks,
Blazing camphor bitter and strong.
Oily trails of extinguished wicks,
Scent of god and temple song.

Dusky odours of flirtatious looks,
Where once we our education took.
Musty classrooms and library books,
Stamped with whiffs of rotting ink.

Jasmine strings through black hair,
Long black plaits with ribbons snared.
Pleasant white sniffs of flower in bloom,
Women in saris, exotic plumes.

Rain washed earth that earthy smell,
Strong and sensual when water hurls.
From the skies celestial love,
Making fecund the barren soil.

Fresh cut grass a breath of green,
Coconut water smelling clean.
Shady Banyan with village gods,
Where musky gasp of air is paused.

Dust filled streets inhaling deep,
Cow dung fires wafting in the street.
Perfumed hands holding mine,
As I meander through my mind.

Fragrances on the wings of time,
Blowing softly with my breath.
Bringing back memories indistinct,
Scented reminiscences defy intellect.

Sujata

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