Wednesday, May 31, 2006

On the hill

there is a spot on the hill
where sunlight falls past the pines
and warms the dry, brown duff held
between roots and granite boulders

the scent that rises there
in the gentle heat
never fails to slow my step
along this path

and make me breathe long and deep
inhaling the light smell
of needles and sap fallen into soil,
rich and brown and black,

lightly warm and sweet,
like apples and honey under
ginger and cinnamon — I linger,
looking for a reason to stay

17 Comments:

Anonymous Anonymous said...

this is such a lovely description of a moment that i have experienced so many times! that moment of walking through the exhalation of evergreen in sun. it is impossible to pass through that green breath and not stop to acknowledge it. thanks for everything beautiful you do here!

5/31/2006 10:56 AM  
Blogger Sue hardy-Dawson said...

I was there for just a moment and I could smell the soil and the pine, there is no better scent

5/31/2006 11:00 AM  
Blogger harmonyinline said...

It's like you sent me a breath of fresh air and warm memories

5/31/2006 11:29 AM  
Blogger Crafty Green Poet said...

such an evocative poem about the most evocative of senses!

5/31/2006 12:53 PM  
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This is a scent-sational piece. It actually makes me hungry for cinnamon rolls for some reason.
I'm looking for a reason not to stay;)

5/31/2006 1:06 PM  
Blogger mermaid said...

I'd say the smell isa enough to keep me there. Beautiful.

5/31/2006 2:00 PM  
Blogger snowsparkle said...

it's amazing how the slowed pace and fragrant scents evoked by these words can make my day so much better. i need no excuse to linger here on this page breathing in all the beauty. thank you for this gift.

5/31/2006 8:49 PM  
Blogger Endment said...

Oh the wonderful things I can see and feel from your words!!!

5/31/2006 9:42 PM  
Blogger Sky said...

some scents are so magnetic. our wisteria draws me in and holds me much longer than i ever anticipate staying.

5/31/2006 9:55 PM  
Blogger Jean said...

" Sur la colline

il y a une tache sur la colline
là où la lumière du soleil tombe après les pins
et chauffe le sol sec et brun
entre les racines et les rochers de granit

le parfum qui se lève là
dans la chaleur douce
ne manque jamais de ralentir mon étape
le long de ce chemin

et de m'inciter à respirer longtemps et profondément
inhalation de l'odeur légère
des aiguilles et de la sève tombées dans le sol,
riche et brun et noir,

légèrement chaud et doux,
comme les pommes et le miel dessous
gingembre et cannelle - je m'attarde,
recherche d'une raison de rester "

Avec l'aide du traducteur ...
En français , ce poème est magnifique !

6/01/2006 1:56 AM  
Blogger Brenda Clews said...

Yes, the scent of "needles and sap fallen into soil," one of the most comforting scents there is, I think. On a walk, yes, it's just how you describe it. Often I roll some fresh needles between my fingers to get a stronger aroma and rub it on my wrists and then carry some home with me to keep it longer. Your poem, so beautiful, will linger with me all day, I know it...

6/01/2006 6:07 AM  
Blogger leslee said...

Mmmm, I can smell it just by reading your words. Such a joy in that smell.

6/01/2006 7:18 AM  
Blogger robin andrea said...

This is so evocative, mb. Your words conjure that sweet fagrance for me. So recognizable, delicious, and deeply satisfying.

6/01/2006 8:39 AM  
Blogger MB said...

Anne, "that green breath" — thank you for that image.

Sue, it's one of my favorites. But then I have many!

harmonyinline, thank you for your kind words!

crafty green poet, I find it surprisingly difficult to describe a smell, and that was the challenge here. I'm glad it worked for you.

TLR, are you off to hunt down cinnamon rolls? ;-)

Mermaid, I think you are right.

Lee, thanks for reading. What a wonderful way to think of it — a refueling station.

Snowsparkle, if in some small way I've made your day better, I'm grateful.

Endment, thanks for turning your lens onto this page.

Sky, spot on, some scents exert a surprising pull.

Jean, vous avez fait tres bien avec ce traducteur! Ca marche bien en francais aussi. Un grand merci pour votre travail.

Brenda, you do that too, huh? I shoulda known.

Leslee, it moves me every time.

Robin, thanks!

6/01/2006 9:44 AM  
Blogger alan said...

Peter Lorre got wrapped up in something one time that was going to add aroma to the movies...all he needed was your words!

alan

6/01/2006 11:55 PM  
Blogger Tongue in Cheek Antiques said...

you describe this place with such arosing aroma and comfort! The swirl of such takes me to a magical place! Thank you.

6/03/2006 1:21 AM  
Blogger MB said...

Alan, scratch'n'sniff movies?? That's quite a concept. I only wish that words could convey smells. It fascinates me that music and smells — two things that hold memory so intensely — are most difficult to convey in words!

Corey, thank you!

6/12/2006 9:12 AM  

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