The Perfume Bottle

The Perfume Bottle Sponsor – Craig Cornish – 9-11-25
In 1948 Nina Ricca released a new fragrance – L’Air du Temp.  The first spicy floral fragrance.  The bottle was designed by Lalique.  It was the first perfume based on spice and floral scents.  L’Air du Temps means present time.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The Perfume Bottle
In the quiet of silenced cannons,
And odor of reviled salutes now impotent,
Midst plaster dust and stained souls
 Of shattered windows
A flacon rises from worn torn ashes
Caressing the breath of a woman
In present time
As two doves intertwine
Above crystal swirls of sunshine 
Reborn in signature scents of treaties.

Flawless guardian
For the newborn bouquet of hope,
Beneath wings of peace,
As a silhouette of scent
Overpowers the stench of gunpower
And ministers to children’s cries for bread
In a kiss from immortality
Accents of new notes for princess and pauper – 
Spicy and floral –
Released like doves of peace.
Copyright © | Year Posted 2025


Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Date: 9/20/2025 5:31:00 AM
Hopeful. Amid ruins and war’s residue, the poem lifts a perfume bottle as a vessel of peace, its fragrance a balm for broken worlds.
Login to Reply
Date: 9/18/2025 3:40:00 AM
This is so beautiful, Sam. I will gift it to my sweetheart on her upcoming birthday. Thanks for the help (lol) Best wishes in the contest! Hugs Charlie
Login to Reply
Kauffman Avatar
Sam Kauffman
Date: 9/18/2025 12:44:00 PM
Oh Charlie, I am deeply touched by your note! Thank you! What a delight to know you will give this amazing perfume, with it's amazing story to your "sweetheart" for her birthday. It has long been one of my favorites and now knowing its story makes it even more special! Hope she enjoys it! Sending you blessings, my friend!
Date: 9/15/2025 7:34:00 PM
What a powerful and tender piece , the way a simple perfume bottle becomes a symbol of peace, healing, and rebirth is breathtaking. Every image rises from ashes into light, carrying both pain and hope. Truly a fragrance of resilience. Thank you for sharing this with us. ???
Login to Reply
Kauffman Avatar
Sam Kauffman
Date: 9/18/2025 12:47:00 PM
Greetings Krishika! So wonderful to find your beautiful and very perceptive feedback on this poem. Thank you. I have always loved this fragrance but knowing it's story and it's symbolism makes wearing it a reminder to be a dove of peace in our weary world. I hope all is well with you! Sending blessings.
Date: 9/11/2025 5:57:00 PM
Deep, with beautiful mystery-
Login to Reply
Kauffman Avatar
Sam Kauffman
Date: 9/15/2025 10:58:00 AM
Thank you so much, Paige! It is a beautiful perfume with an inspiring message crafted in the design of the bottle. Blessings of fragrant grace to you!
Date: 9/11/2025 5:21:00 PM
beautiful imagery and a unique take on the contest. I especially liked the last verse. Best wishes with the contest.
Login to Reply
Kauffman Avatar
Sam Kauffman
Date: 9/15/2025 10:54:00 AM
Thank you so much dear Sara! When I started writing this poem I focused on the scent inside the perfume bottle but then it occurred to me it was the perfume bottle itself that was the theme of the contest and I remembered the story of L'Air du Temps which made the fragrance I so love even more special - from war to the promises of peace and hope! Thank you for your best wishes! Sending you blessings on the perfume of grace!
Date: 9/11/2025 5:11:00 PM
Lovely Sam, L’Air du Temp perfume, l love it. When I was young in my first office job a lady there wore that perfume, I thought it was beautiful. When my hubby and I went on our first holiday abroad, I bought that perfume duty free, loved it… Beryl
Login to Reply
Kauffman Avatar
Sam Kauffman
Date: 9/15/2025 10:47:00 AM
Hi Beryl! Thank you! Like you I love this perfume. I first discovered it in high school at a local store that carried amazing perfumes. Love your story of L'Air du Temps! What delightfully delicious memories. I still wear this scent and now that I know the story of the two doves and what they symbolize it makes this scent even more special! Sending you blessings on airs of fragrant grace.
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter