In this stifling heat I conjure up the redolence of forest snow, the ice-trapped secrets of moss and fern, and the tingling overtone of pine - how I long to bottle it, make it mine.
Kim M. Russell, 23rd August 2022
For this week’s Tuesday Poetics our guest host is Jo, also known as Worms, from the blog ‘Out of the Cave’. She has brought us ‘A World of Common Scents’, which was inspired by her little dog’s nose (as well as Patrick Suskind’s novel Perfume)!
Jo gave us a couple of examples of smell in poetry: an excerpt from ‘On Being Human’ by C.S. Lewis and C.J. Dennis’s poem about mutton. I’ve written a few poems about smell and wasn’t sure if I could manage another one – but I did – and it’s a nonet!
writing in north norfolk 
And remember when winter is here we wish for the fragrance of heat don’t we?
I would love some bottled snow to bring with me when it’s hot…(I have been up north and missed most of the hot weather thankfully)
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I’m not so keen on the fragrance of heat, but I do love autumn aromas.
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This is exquisitely drawn, Kim! I so love the idea of being able to bottle a scent one loves💘💘
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Back in the seventies, we used to buy essential oils and one of them smelled just like freshly mown grass. I haven’t been able to find it again, but I’ve got something quite close, Herbae from l’Occitane.
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I remember buying that scent when I was a teenager!
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I can’t remember what it was called, but it was a huge favourite together with patchouli and amber. I still wear Amber by L’Occitane. 🙂
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My version came from Boots, as an own brand.
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Kim, if you could bottle it and sell you’d be a millionaire. Sounds wonderful!
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I wonder if I could sell the idea of it…
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As much as I abhor winter, you did make me long for the clean scent of snow. Just for a brief moment. Well done!
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Thanks!
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Beautifully written, and a lovely idea, to capture that fresh winter forest smell..
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Thank you so much for reading and commenting!
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Love the nonet poem about bottling that pine and snow. I wish it now during summer.
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I have yet to find a scent like that.
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In this age of climate change it may be a very good idea – lest one forgets!
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True.
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Kim, this is a jewel. It sits like the smell itself cold and fresh in my nose.
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That is such a wonderful comment, Jo! Thank you!
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Very nicely done!
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Thank you, Dwight!
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Lovely to see you back in the posting fray, a fine dropper gives us this redolent bead. Perfect title.
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Thank you, Brendan! Little steps at the moment.
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Wonderfully captured Kim. I can just imagine that scent!
Pat
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Thank you Pat!
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Nice one Kim. Luv the shape and intent of your poem
Thanks for dropping by to read mine
Much💖love
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Thanks Gillena, and much love to you!
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Great poem Kim!
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Cheers Kim!
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Yes, that scent of pine and snow – it’s fabulous.
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I’m already looking forward to it!
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I share your view of heat.
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Such a lovely poem, Kim. We are in summer here on Oregon’s High Desert and it feels good, our winter is not far off … with everything you beautifully describe.
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I’ve ever known a summer like this in the UK but, with climate change, we’ll have to get used to it!
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Could you send over a bottle to me! What a beautiful write, Kim! Never experienced snow and pine, I am sure it smells heavenly.
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I wish I could bottle it, Punam!
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❤️
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