Seasonings of Scent

A Seasoning of Scent

Each season wears the scent of its own seasoning
A signature perfume – wafting spice that beckons 
Awakening 
When my memories come out of hiding shadows
For misty autumn Sunday mornings when a bouquet
Of frying bacon and brewing coffee play tag 
To rush up the stairs to look for dreamers missed by the dawn;
Titillating the deep recesses of amnesia
With a sachet of floral elegance
Gathered up in spring days of sweet Daphne’s mood
As apple blossom aromas drift on vernal billowing -
A lilac scented ballet and spring rain on dry earth
Or linen sheets dried on the line –
Alluring incense of roasting turkey or simmering stewpots
Rushing through icy nights of early twilight
When falling leaves give up their essence -
Aromatic balm, fanned by cinnamon and nutmeg,
Flavoring ambrosial apples
In teasing allure of fresh cut pine and fir –
Bayberry candles drifting invitation
To frolic through captivating potpourris 
Of holiday cookies from the oven
Teasing from waiting anticipation
The smell of new fallen snow 
Or bergamot’s balm on a winter afternoon
When hot cocoa memories sashay through recollections
Embossed in flashbacks of new mown grass
For the boys of summer or watching clouds
Bathed in tones of copper – wet dogs and towels
Sending up a strong whiff of summer
Fanned by salt spray remnants, barbecue grills
And ozone’s thundering incense –
The anamneses of dark chocolate to entice a lover’s heart
Drawing me back into a sacred aura
Elusive, unidentifiable, beckoning me with bouquet of grace
From the eternal perfumery

3-25-21
Contest: Favorite Scents 
Sponsor Chantelle Anne Cooke
Copyright © | Year Posted 2021

Poem

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

Gaul Avatar
May 22, 2021 at 12:47 PM
I must apologize Sam, I love anything with bacon in it. Seriously, congrats on your fine win. Like how I like my bacon, this was crispy and well done.
Marcum Wong Avatar
May 22, 2021 at 2:33 AM
I love so many of the appealing scents you mention in this creative piece Sam. Congratulations on your deserving first placement! Blessings Connie xxoo
Kelii Kekaula Avatar
April 8, 2021 at 2:00 PM
An amazing piece, Sam, you breathed an articulative life per line after magical line. Your unique choice of words, e.g. 'ambrosial', 'anamneses', and, 'perfumery', all in all, effecting a notable double win from all appearances. Congratulations appropriately my friend, Aloha!
Andresen Avatar
April 5, 2021 at 12:44 PM
- Congratulations :)
Kauffman Avatar
April 7, 2021 at 9:29 AM
Thank you Anne-Lise! Hope you had a wonderful Easter filled with many blessings! :)"
Cahill Avatar
April 1, 2021 at 9:29 PM
Your poem evokes the senses so keenly as one reads that the reader is carried on a journey of memories stirred by the aromas, scents you describe. Your writing made it so easy to relate, as if the reader is inhaling the scents right along with you!
Kauffman Avatar
April 7, 2021 at 9:28 AM
Hi Jennifer! What a lovely and thoughtful message. I am very appreciative. Thank you! I have read that "scent" is the most powerful sense for evoking memories. So happy we could share "scents" and memories. All the best!
Allison Avatar
April 1, 2021 at 3:01 PM
your poem appeals to many senses, many congrats on your win Sam:-) hugs Jan xx
Kauffman Avatar
April 7, 2021 at 9:24 AM
Thank you Jan. It was such fun to think about the "scents" that I love and feel their inspiration for this poem. It was a great theme. I enjoyed so many of the offerings for the contest. Hugs across the pond :)"
Evans Avatar
April 1, 2021 at 12:53 PM
All those scents for the whole year... impressive! Congrats....Happy Easter.
Kauffman Avatar
April 1, 2021 at 1:02 PM
Thank you so much Marilene! This poem was born out of total indecision! There are so many "scents" that I love and that bring back memories. Many of the scents I associate witha season so putting them in a record of the year just seemed like a natural. So glad you liked it! Hope you and family are doing well! Happy Easter to you!
Ellis Avatar
March 27, 2021 at 4:23 PM
Beautiful words from beginning to end. I take notes..The smells, colors of life are in every line. I really enjoyed the first five lines. The only thing I wished of this poem were spacing. Too many beautiful thoughts to not have a pause or a break. A full banquet of beautiful words needs water for our digestion. Overall a splendid poem written by a poet who knows the craft...Enticing for sure...
Kauffman Avatar
March 27, 2021 at 4:51 PM
Hi Michael. Thank you for your visit, encouragement and lovely comments! So appreciated. Funny you should mention line breaks - spacing. Ironically, I went back and forth trying to decide if the poem needed space breaks! Like you I felt there were natural pauses. Will take a look at the poem again wearing your glasses! Grateful for your read, the feedback, the benefit of your experience and your visit. All the best!
Ligon Avatar
March 26, 2021 at 9:42 PM
Great variety of aromas, well thought out!
Ball Avatar
March 26, 2021 at 7:13 PM
MMMMM All my favorites. God Bless, JB
Brul Avatar
March 26, 2021 at 7:10 PM
Your scents are therapeutic Sam..Wonderful! Keep them lingering!
Kavanagh  Avatar
March 26, 2021 at 4:01 PM
Heya Sam, what a feast of smells aromas and tangs, for our imagination, you managed it so well, without overwhelming the senses, at a nice controlled pace throughout, delightful read, best of luck in the contest, cheers David
Pandit Avatar
March 26, 2021 at 1:52 PM
Wonderful poem Sam. A festive gathering of scents. All the best.
Callus Avatar
March 26, 2021 at 1:51 PM
Your beautiful poem appeals to all our senses, Sam. Excellent, to say the least! Regards // paul
Devonshire Avatar
March 26, 2021 at 1:22 PM
I don't see how any poem about scents could be more intoxicating than this one, Sam. Bacon frying is a favorite of mine and I chuckled at the "wet dogs and towels" of summer. I guess each season does have its own set of scents. Excellent writing, Sam. Best wishes for a big win! Hugs, Carolyn
Proxenos Avatar
March 26, 2021 at 12:51 PM
You made my mouth water many times whilst reading this awesome poem. Bacon and brewing of coffee, my two most favorite scents, hot cocoa memories, barbecue grills (in South Africa we call them 'Braais') dark chocolate surely is attached to the heart and romance. What a wonderful write Sam, best of luck in the contest. Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
Kauffman Avatar
March 27, 2021 at 5:13 PM
Thank you so much Jennifer. Can you tell I couldn't make up my mind about one favorite "scent?" I came to the conclusion as the seasons change so does their perfume giving a new meaning to each passing day. Love the "braais'" reference. My sister-in-law is from South Africa. I will spring this on her at Easter! So glad to hear you and Elias are doing well. Art too! Hugs and Easter joy!
Cunningham Avatar
March 26, 2021 at 8:03 AM
You captured the scents of the seasons well in your verse Sam. Best of luck in the contest and hope you have a lovely weekend. Over Fork Over Tom
Kauffman Avatar
March 27, 2021 at 5:07 PM
Thank you Tom! Guess I mark the passage of the seasons by their perfume - their scents! This theme carried me through many seasons and many happy memories reminding me of what I do love in life. Happy weekend! Blessings! Over Fork Over!
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace