Remembering the grama-grampa
house now has faded with time
but the scents and smells stay strong
in this jumble sale mind of mine
den redolent of evergreen
from closet conifer lined
I played there sans toys
and had a fine old time
also scents of mothballs
from that closet that was hers
placed to protect grandma's
coveted fox and monkey furs
a carved marble top table
photos with spider-writing names
smelt a tad of musty dust
in their oft-repaired old frames
with notes of furniture polish
that iconic lemon Pledge smell
grampa took care to dust and wax
if he didn't she'd give him h-ll (🤣)
In the den resided curios
inkwell, gramophone, ukulele
something called a stereoscope and
organ grampa played for me
a dog's leash and decanter set
contributing an odor hooch
a riding crop adding horse
the leash a hint of pooch
writing brought back memory
minds-eye looking out window
in fragrant warm contentment
watching as it began to snow
attic smelt of wet army blanket
sniffs of kerosene in the air
mildewed mattress ticking from
winter toboggan stored up there
basement nosed of cardboard
and the big Lionel train
board games by the fireplace
smoke with heated metal refrain
in cellar a plethora of perfumes
engine oil, printer ink and Rinso
laundry room, pantry and workshop
were some favorite places to go
layers of beach-piney-sandune
did a spicy fragrance make
added to the overall aroma
of the house beside the lake
And best was grama's cooking
the savory, sweet and fine
her tiny kitchen table was
the very best place to dine
It's not just about smells
but they have lessons to tell
about treasuring and preserving
and loving often, much and well
It's old things lovingly saved
curious curios, not really toys
lack of playthings far surpassed
by those bygone gestalt joys
A pair of tiny great grandma boots
A gun from American civil war,
A furry ancestor hat and photos
And super 8 home movies galore
Each with tidy foxed labels
history conscientiously taught to me
better than any book I've read
their bedtime reminisce-story
from photo album minty paste
to wood shaving and boot black
home movie heated celluloid
they all take me back
such an olfactory cacophony
Throughout their home dwelt
so many happy memories live
in how their house smelt
When just a whiff I get
Scent memories in my brain
I'm transported back to the
home on Crestwood Lane
Posts
