Primal Memories

It started with the scent of jasmine
and before I even knew the source
just like that I was seduced
then once I turned and saw her
sight and smell forever linked
together they made me bold

Time strengthened our memory-smell bond
half-empty glasses of Cab on the nightstand
her own unique scent blended with my own
the comforting whiffs of daybreak
Golden Retriever breath alarm clock
first sharp hiss of French roast

Our lives connected at every turn
through the sensory richness
of travel and changing seasons
hot cider and fall leaves burning
popcorn at our favorite indie movie house
cherry blossoms in Kyoto in April

Today I can’t recall small things
like her favorite colors or the names of her crazy friends
but even months later
still scattered about my life and my home
her lingering scent controls my attention
I can’t get it off of me

~ J. D. Mackenzie

(inspired by NaPoWriMo prompt for Day #16 from Julie Jordan Scott, the art of writing from the sense of smell)

Un-Birthday

I came here to think
but in the frigid foam and blue
my first thought was
this ocean is cold as hell

icy waves massage the shore
their painless slaps and
rhythmic retreats
remind me of time passing

sometimes all it takes
is a fleeting glance
imagining a mop of sandy hair
probably green eyes

sad, relentless memories
hand fed by
voyeured soccer matches
and piano recitals

any given month
it’s always you
everywhere
moving as I’m watching

I stare and imagine
what if
until it’s too excruciating
to wonder any more

then wonder again
was it foolish
to have chosen
your name?

careless
to visualize
eighteen candles
that never were?

so happy un-birthday
my interrupted angel
always right there
watching over me

~ J. D. Mackenzie

(inspired by napowrimo prompt #10 celebrate any of these: a birthday, wedding, baptism — any kind of celebration)