Synthetic Smells

Synthetic Smells

They sell smells boxed and bottled,
ready for noses unused to nature.
Lavender and rose petals packaged
in plastic – manufactured smells
from a laboratory by people in
white coats and hair nets who
work under artificial lights and
breath artificial air. I long to walk
with them in my garden, to share
the warm yellow light of the sun,
and let them brush their hands
across lavender and sage until
they find the smell of peace.

Pop Up Tree

2017 November PAD Chapbook Challenge: Day 28
It’s two-for-Tuesday once again
Write a love/ anti-love poem

——

Pop Up Tree

i bought it at a church rummage sale
it came in a square white box
that was a little torn
a little worn
a five foot pop-up tree
with short artificial branches
and shiny artificial discs for
decorations – just a spiral of glittering garland
it is a yellowy kind of green
that any self respecting tree
would be ashamed of
but it sparkles in the morning
sun shining through the window
and creates abstract reflections
on the wall and ceiling
it makes me smile and
i love it
but my husband –
well, that would be anti-love