In Mothballs

A newborn
enters this wild world
blind
to all that awaits her
she is given the good sense
to know the soft animal
mother's
milk
scent

It remains the deepest connection
memories to breathe
like air
our emotions 
weave
like smoke
swirling around
 this life

we inhale

curiosity wafts in 
 - fresh cut grass and waxy crayons

joy gusts in
 - early morning breezes and warm mulling spice

safety surrounds in
 - Jean Nate and mothballs

abandonment seeps in
 - musty cellar and urine on linoleum

anxiety fills in
 - sodden ashtrays and stale beer

fear reeks
 - of chlorine and burning plastic


lust oozes
 - musty dried rose petals steeped in bleach


submission stifles
 -  fryer grease and carpet mildew

kindness - carries
 the scent of spun sugar and sweet talc

friendship - redolent
 with parchment, oolong and morning dew

Love - envelop
 in ocean air and moss covered pine,
 wild strawberries and summer lilac.

OctPoWriMo 2019  Day 8

Inspired by the prompt to explore "Scents that trigger powerful memories and emotions"

*In Mothballs - expression meaning  "stored and not in use, often for a long time"