Lectisternium

When you're in love

and walk into Macy's, nearest the perfume counter

and you spray each tester until the contents are uneven,

and the sales lady says, "can I help you find something"

yet due to a cross of energy and rivers,

you makeup the undergo of the transept in the Maybeline

loose powder that  the old women leave.

Because you had science in high school

and to smell is some abstruse, supernatural reality;

that were you a cat,

or Catwoman,

or Halle Berry and could jump over balconies.

If you sat in a dark movie house meeting a woman

you didn't know, only heard her sweet voice on the phone, crackling.

If she was like your sister who bought a lawn mower at the end

of the mowing seasons because it was cute and red.

If she wore a red coat,

or wore the perfume Red Door.

I mean, if there was a door you could

run out of into the cold snowfall of Novembers.

You would smell good

and a bed of warm hugs would happen

And the world would be saved.

Reviews

[Lyn Anderson]

Ha, I had a vision of myself, in Eatons. I must have been eighteen or so. Spraying perfume testers and getting a promotional makeover. And yes, I thought I was in love then.

[cristamay76]

I saw the "header" and had to tackle this poem. Splendid without disappointed, your style is unique.. I dig it!

[Ed Hart]

i can't imagine what it's like rolling around in your unstoppable and wide-ranging head, but it always comes up definitely perfumed

[W.k.kortas]

What is love but alchemy, memory, odd things connected by seemingly unconnected threads? For that matter, what in God's name is a woman? Your hints are a damn sight better than most.

[W.k.kortas]

I should also love the interplay between what the title cites and haunting the perfume counter at Macy's. That's clever, funny stuff.

[Delmar Cooper]

"When you're in love..... (lots and lots of interesting mind blowing words) ...the world would be saved.

I think I get it.