Smell

The smell of burnt wick and oil,
Of the blown out lamp on a moonless night,
The smell of boiling water
That lingered in the kitchen forever
Of mango pulp drying in the sun,
Of the ripened Jackfruit
That lay abandoned in the courtyard,
The cow dung fresh and green
Wafting in the morning breeze,
The mossy tang of the wooden planks
Left unnoticed on rainy days,
The scent of talcum, soap and oil
That your bosom offered in reprieve
My memories were thus and many
Images fading into the oblivion,
Leaving behind their smell with me..

Reshmi on June 29, 2006