Smells

By Jagari Mukherjee

Jagari Mukherjee is a bilingual poet from Kolkata, India. Her writings have appeared in several newspapers, magazines, anthologies, webzines, and blogs. Her first book, a collection of poems entitled Blue Rose, was published in May 2017.

 

Early morning I wake up

To the pleasant smell

Of a bonfire of dried leaves;

Then, going downstairs,

The spicy aroma of some hot grub

Being prepared by the tenants

Tantalize me.

I decide to indulge further

And inhale the fragrance of fierce tangerine marigolds on the terrace –

Their touch soft on my nose.

Finally, wide awake, I kiss my mother, and on her

Enjoy the scent of Boroline and Cinthol Powder

So much

That I go to my room and apply

The daintily perfumed

Pink Olay cream on my face.