L Milton Hankins Poet Rhyme

Favorite Scents

The square-cut bars of patchoulie soap 
     scented--musky, earthy, sensual-- 
     carefully placed on shelves 
     and in bureau drawers-- 
          a constant reminder 
          of long-gone days, 
Like the fresh smell of newly baked bread 
     wafting from grandma’s oven, 
     mingling with the sultry scent 
     of fresh-percolated coffee-- 
          a constant reminder 
          of bye-gone ways. 
Pervasive presence of lavender perfume 
     when I hugged my grandma tight, 
     snuggling next to her bosom 
     filling my nostrils with love-- 
          a constant reminder 
          of old-fashioned sprays. 
Another unidentified scent comes to me 
     from time to time, unexpected,  
     in meditation, repeats itself 
     in my dreams of Hawaii-- 
          a constant reminder 
          of lovely floral leis.

SECOND PLACE WINNER
Written March 15, 2021
for "Favorite Scent(s) Contest"
sponsored by Chantelle Anne Cooke''

PUBLISHER'S FRONT PAGE PICK
All-Poetry, October 30, 2021

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Anne-Lise Andresen April 5, 2021 at 12:50 PM - Congratulations :) L Milton Hankins April 5, 2021 at 1:14 PM Thanks so much, Sunshine Smile.

Jan Allison April 1, 2021 at 3:57 PM such fragrant memories Milton, Many congrats on your win :-) hugs Jan xx L Milton Hankins April 1, 2021 at 3:59 PM Thanks so much, Jan. I appreciate your visit and your comment.

Paula Goldsmith April 1, 2021 at 12:44 PM Congratulations on your win. "Love" your wonderful write, fresh baked bread, lavender perfume and flowers. Have a blessed day and Easter................. L Milton Hankins April 1, 2021 at 12:54 PM Thanks so much for your sweet comments. Happy Easter to you, too.

Caren Krutsinger March 17, 2021 at 2:27 AM There is no accounting for taste. "patchoulie" is almost the only scent in the world I cannot abide. Isn't that funny? I bet you do not love the scent of VICKS VAPOR RUB which is my all-time FAVORITE scent! A great poem. I was immediately struck by how amusing it is what I hate the most you like well enough to poetize. L Milton Hankins March 17, 2021 at 8:02 AM As a matter of fact, I do like Vicks Vapor Rub and had the same experiences as you as a child. I just didn't think it was as appealing for a poem. Yes, amusing! I suspect much of life is common to everyone. I love patchouli. It is true that I have bars of it laying around my house as deodorizers. Works well!

Janice Canerdy March 16, 2021 at 8:44 AM This is such a lovely, appealing poem. I love the way you tied the points together, creating a smooth flow of lines. Janice L Milton Hankins March 16, 2021 at 9:50 AM Thank you, Janice.

Maurice Rigoler March 16, 2021 at 8:06 AM If certain scents are extraordinary / it's because the nose is a source olfactory. Even as a boy this faculty was pronounced in me. I believe its scientific name is "syn·es·the·sia." No matter; I have it, and it's an invaluable aide to my dwindling memory. Many of my poems are grounded in it. / Maurice L Milton Hankins March 16, 2021 at 9:50 AM You always teach me something, Maurice, and I really appreciate it. I enjoy your work so much.

Krish Radhakrishna March 15, 2021 at 12:36 PM This is a great poem and a certain winner! All the best in the contest! L Milton Hankins March 15, 2021 at 2:12 PM Aw, I can only hope, Krish. The entries here are of such high quality, I just keep my fingers crossed. Thanks for your visit and your encouragement.

Darlene De Beaulieu March 15, 2021 at 11:59 AM Hello Milton,you do seem to have your favourites scents. These are lovely scents to remember. Enjoy your day my friend. Darlene De Beaulieu March 15, 2021 at 3:12 PM Hello Milton, there is nothing like fresh baked bread. Enjoy it. Have a nice evening my friend. L Milton Hankins March 15, 2021 at 12:01 PM Thanks, Darlene. I do love that fresh-baked bread! Hope you're having a wonderful weekend.

Mystic Rose Rose March 15, 2021 at 8:42 AM You seem to have a great scent of smell and imagination . what a beautiful blend that is, lovely image come to mind, like a breeze it wakes my reveries, Have a wonderful day dear poet. :) L Milton Hankins March 15, 2021 at 9:05 AM Thanks so much, Mystic. I appreciated your comment so much.

Judy Ball March 15, 2021 at 6:14 AM Yes indeed the sense of smell is very powerful .It can bring back memories ands invoke special feelings. Great write here. Love it. God Bless, JB L Milton Hankins March 15, 2021 at 8:01 AM Thank you so much, Judy.

Vijay Pandit March 15, 2021 at 5:59 AM Your poem is a special treat, Milton. Delightful scents in memories you evoke through your poem. L Milton Hankins March 15, 2021 at 8:02 AM They are my favorites, Vijay. Thanks for your read.

Carolyn Devonshire March 15, 2021 at 5:35 AM My college debate partner always wore patchouli and I always think of him when I smell it now. It's sweet that the lavender fragrance reminds you of your grandmother. This is a lovely entry for the contest, Milton. Wishing you success! L Milton Hankins March 15, 2021 at 8:02 AM Thanks so much, Carolyn. I am hopeful. It was a fun write.

Beryl Edmonds March 15, 2021 at 1:59 AM Lovely fragrant memories L. a good contender for the contest ~ Belle L Milton Hankins March 15, 2021 at 8:03 AM Thanks, Belle. Your read means a lot to me.

Robert Pettit March 14, 2021 at 9:12 PM A pleasure to read with great descriptiveness and rhyming. L Milton Hankins March 14, 2021 at 9:23 PM Thanks, Robert. It was fun to write and brought back several memories. Amazing how smells can do that!