We who with songs beguile your pilgrimage / And swear that Beauty lives though lilies die, / We Poets of the proud old lineage / Who sing to find your hearts, we know not why ... (James Elroy Flecker)

5.9.25

Black Flower Perfume

 

…but it’s written in French, which

always sounds sweeter, more romantic: 

musical, flowing, soft … mellifluous!


‘Fleur Noir’ it says. The bottle

is bold, black, rectangular; uncompromising

and elegant, lettered in gold.


I used to wear Taboo, or Musk.

When younger, Tweed. When mature, Poison.

The heavy scents of amour.


This new one seduced me at once –

the aroma just as enticing, but subtler, 

more mysterious, hinting at magic.


Each morning after my shower, I spray

behind my ears, as all young girls are taught,

and my pulse points, as women know.


Then I add an extravagant swirl through my aura, 

and a touch on my upper lip, to breathe it in all day.

At last, I am my own lover. I wear it for me. 



















Sharing with Poets and Storytellers United at Friday Writings #193: Tell Me Something Good. 


Written as part of an occasional series called Moments in My Days, which began in response to a photo prompt from a facebook group I'm in; then I decided to add some verses, and to continue indefinitely.




10 comments:

  1. behind my ears, as all young girls are taught, / and my pulse points, as women know.... that made me nod and smile!!! Read 'amour' as armour twice... Freud might have a thing or two to say about that! :) :)

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    1. *Grin.*Thanks, I think I'll italicise it, as you probably won't be the only one.

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  2. Sorry, Rosemary, Please don't perfume when I come. I get an immediate headache to be near perfume. I get up if someone sits me near with it also. Sorry, it is a wonderful poem.

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    1. I always have to leave perfume off when my son comes to visit, too, even natural oils. He's allergic to it all. Glad you liked the poem anyway. Thanks.

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  3. How delicious and intoxicating - I'm glad you have found the right scent for now - black and gold are magical colours - Jae

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  4. The writing is meticulous and the fragrance transitions what many good witches have carried in their travel bag of tricks as they journey through life.

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    Replies
    1. Oh thank you. I think I'll be basking in that word, meticulous, for some time to come!

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  5. Ah! I can smell it now virtually! Perfume is a wonderful thing. Good one, Rosemary!

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