I didn’t mean to be found there
huddled in the corner;
red face and swollen eyes
were to have been protected by
the darkness….
Sobs masked all other sounds,
but they could not hide
the dark, earthy scent
of your cologne.
Half-consciously
I drank it in.
Sniffles settled into sighs—
storm was stilled.
There in my dark corner
you sat with me a while,
and without a word,
ushered peace into my soul,
even as your Drakkar Noir filled my senses.
Written for #OctPoWriMo, and also in response to Gina’s Tuesday Poetics challenge at dVerse. This week’s topic is Comfort Smells, in the which Gina asks us to write about a smell that evokes a feeling of safety. More than one smell does that for me, but I chose to write about an adulthood experience rather than a childhood experience. Rain has always been comforting to me. But one thing I find more comforting, more safe, than rain is friendship. And to me, true friendship smells of Drakkar Noir.
Copyright © 2018 Abigail Gronway – All Rights Reserved
Dark Side of the Moon 
I like that you chose to take the prompt down this path. the smell of friendship is something so valuable. to remember the safety of baring your heart to a trusted friend is a treasured gift to own. well done!
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Thank you, Gina. I appreciate the prompt. A lot of effort goes into hosting this challenge, and I am happy to participate and mingle with the others who do.
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thank you for your wonderful support to all. a real pleasure to have you with us.
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So beautifully written, this begs for an end to the story. The fact that the name of the cologne literally translated is “Black dragon ship” adds to the mystery.
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Thank you, Beverly. I looked for the meaning of the name of the cologne but couldn’t find it. Perhaps I didn’t look hard enough. But I wanted to be specific. I knew Noir means “black,” but was stumped on the meaning of “Drakkar.” I appreciate your insight, and I just might write a sequel. I’ve actually written a good many poems about this particular friend, so it won’t be hard. 🙂
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I love the specific of a named perfume… I took a poetry class for a poet named Moira Egan who have written a lot of poems about perfumes…
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Thank you, Björn. I wanted to be specific, even though I couldn’t pinpoint the exact meaning of the name and the list of ingredients of this particular scent was as long as my arm. 🙂 Are Moira’s poems on the Internet? I’ll search her name and see what I can find.
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It is nice how a scent can bring one peace.
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Yes, it is.
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