A Dab of Prose/Poetry

In honor of just finishing the novel The Chilean Poet by Alejandro Zambra (which I will review in a post very soon), I would like to share two pieces of prose/poetry I wrote from my collection of writings about smells. I am not sure if these are considered prose or poetry, but if anyone would like to let me know or tell me which category these fit into, please do.

The Beach on a Hot Sunny Day (date unknown, 2023)

The smell of salt that is slightly fishy coming in

from the breee and waves is unlike any other.

It isn't exactly a pleasant smell, but paired with

the sounds of the waves from the ocean, feeling the

sand beneath your feet and the hot sun hitting your

skin; you are immediately relaxed.

The hints of coconut and other tropical fruits hits

your nose as you lather in the sunscreen. As you lay

down on your back on a beach towel to work on your tan,

you notice even the sand itself hase a scent of its own.

The softness with some grittiness of it combined

with the fishy saltiness coming from the ocean reminds

you of the smell of sex. In that regard laying

on a beach in the sun with all these smells is in a

sense a kind of aphrodisiac; it doesn't matter if you

like it or not, it just works that way.

Coffee (January 11, 2023)

The color of mahogany wood comes

to mind when thinking about the aroma of coffee.

The deep brown with a hint of red that gives

a sense of strength and power.

It lets you know that what you are about to drink

will empower you and lift you from a state of dour.

In the morning, this aroma of energy tells

you that it's time to start your day, get a move on,

sieze the day!

In the afternoon, it can help keep a nap at bay.

And at night, when all is dark, the smell reminds

you that much can still be done because "who needs

sleep?" as some like to say.

Like a good friend or a lover whose scent of their cologne

or perfume you cannot forget and you associate with

love, comfort, and warmth, so is the rich aroma

of coffee.

Even those who do not like the bitter taste of

coffee, can appreciate its one of a kind fragrance

that exudes confidence and resolve in its boldness.

You can't help but want to share these same attributes

as you breathe in this deep scent.