The writing prompt I saw was “your mother’s perfume.” I don’t remember my mom wearing perfume and I don’t use perfume. What this prompt made me think of is how I no longer have a sense of smell. I don’t know when I lost it but one day I realized it was gone. And it is likely it will never come back. I miss being able to smell things - pretty and not so pretty.
Scent
I slept
clutching his pillow when he was away.
I was mesmerized
by the smell of my children’s hair.
Chocolate
Coffee
Garlic
Berries
Rain
Musty school halls
A campfire.
Just naming the smells
Brings memories into my mind.
I can describe my life by scents
that I no longer can smell.
It feels like a part of me
is frozen.
Lost.
One day I realized
I couldn’t smell
the sweaty t-shirt,
the pillowcase,
Flowers,
burnt popcorn,
Anything.
And I can’t remember when it happened
And have no idea what I have missed
Just feel a loss
When someone says
“Smell this”
And I can’t.
Most people have five senses.
Now I know what it is like to only have four.
And I am thankful
That I can see,
Hear,
Touch,
Taste,
Thankful that I am alive.
