Evoking the Cologne

Dad's dressing gown
remained exactly where
he last placed it,
on a shiny brass hook
on his bedroom door,
where it stayed
in its navy blue state,
hanging lifeless long after
his fate had been sealed.

Long after his unexpected
demise and my eyes
had lost focus on life,
I would wear it.
Wrap myself in its embrace
close my lids then breathe in
the essence of him.

That familiar cologne
bringing him back
for a few precious moments
before the sense of loss
would kick in with vigour
and tear me apart
like a ripped seam.

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

this tore me apart...and made my eyes water...reminding me of my dad and how much i miss him...
and speaking of the cologne...i remember how particular he was about hygiene, the shave, the old spice, the showers...and then how in his last couple years he hated showers...didn't even realize he no longer cared about that....
so well written here.
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Jacob. It's 28 years since my Dad died, but this poem is fresh off the press and his loss still haunts me. Sorry it made your eyes water.:(

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

He must have been really young...???

[Chris Shaw]

Young enough at 60. I don't think he would have made an accepting old man.

[barleygirl]

I love this share, Jacob . . . great response to a touching poem! (((HUGS))) to both of you!

[Chris Shaw]

Thanks Margie.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

and I thank you, too, Margie...
Chris' poem evoked so many feelings and memories for me...read moreand I thank you, too, Margie...
Chris' poem evoked so many feelings and memories for me...
j.

[Einstein Noodle]

i like your response also jacob...Old Spice all the way ... and always clean shaven ... except maybe on a Saturday ... when we were at risk for a whiskering ...

[Phill Oz O'fee]

Funny how an object, sign or scent can trigger an emotional response within in ourselves! You poetical homage reminds me of how my Dad (bless his soul) took to that Herny Cooper ad and used to 'splash it all on' with Brut cologne. he thought it was great, but my mum said she thought it stank. Great share my friend... :-)

[Chris Shaw]

I have to agree with your Mum, Phill. Brut certainly had a stink all of its owm. Remember that advert so well. Many thanks for calling and leaving a response.

Chris

[Davidgeo]

Loss is a b***h.

Some of us scrub our memories of obvious reminders to get through it, other's do the opposite.

It takes more strength and adaptability to do the opposite. People who avoid painful memories due to loss almost never grow after said tragedy. Allowing yourself to be occasionally torn apart is how emotional progress takes place... it is something that I think honors the dead more than any other single thing we can do.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks David for your visit and thoughts. All good wishes.

Chris

[Onlyme]

Made me think of someone who lost their dad, and years later they reach for his favourite dressing gown still smelling of his scent and find comfort in it also.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Dawn for your response. Hope all is good with you.

Chris

[Robert Trakofler]

when I feel the presence of the ones i have lost the evocation of scents memories occurs often my grandmothers vestibule always had this distinct aroma like sugar cookies and bread and my other grandmother loved lilac when she is around me i smell them as clearly as day:) I have a long list but those are the most often occurrences. You just made my mind stream reading this sorry for the babble. I feel your longing so palpably in your lines Dear Chris the poem relates very strongly a resonance to the bunny's big ears in your prose.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Bunny, you can babble away as much as you like. I was very happy to hear of your own evocative scents reminding you of loved ones. Pleased my lines resonated with Bunny and his big ears. Have a lovely day.

Chris

[Markus Anthony]

You poem brought me back to my stages of grief, when my grandmother passed away. She sewed my med school uniform and everytime the thoughts of her pads through my mind, i always think of my uniform as her means of embracing me as i go forth and reach my dreams. Your poem brings a lot of memories, and im sure everyone who reads it can really relate and empathise to what the writer is feeling. I love it. - Markus

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Markus and I hope the memories of your beloved Grandmother weren't too sad for you. Your thoughts very much appreciated.

Chris

[kentuck14]

Chris,
A wonderful homage to your father. I was right there with you .. . great images. Congratulations.
Tom

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Tom, pleased I carried you along. Have a great day.

Chris

[Grace]

This is lovely, as I know it will bring back memories for many people. I have a bottle of Hartnell's In Love perfume that belonged to my mother. She wore it on her wedding day and special occasions.

Grace.

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Grace. Those fragrances really do evoke some gut wrenching memories at times don't they? Thank you so much for your response.

Chris

[Einstein Noodle]

well said Christine ...universal and relatable to most i think ... and in you closing having been taken on your journey so smoothly i especially feel that pain of loss .. as if it were just now happened :( my own vivid memory of my Da is crystal clear to this day ... as a boy waiting for him to come home from work ... he would come in the back door .. stomp snow off his boots and walk up the few steps to our entry hall ... where i was grabbed up and greeted .. his overcoat smelled of snow, cigarettes and faintly of beer ;) sure loved that man ... God bless him and yours ... a blessing to read and be reminded ma'am
E.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Mr E. You are so right, writing about my Dad in this way brought that initial loss back to my doorstep. It was quite painful, but I was pleased with the way my poem turned out so it was worth it. If my lines brought happy memories of your Dad to you then that is an added bonus. Always a pleasure when you visit. All good wishes.

Chris

[Kent Rawski]

at least you had a pleasant scent what I remember of my grandmother is moth balls no jokes please but thoughts of loved ones will be triggered by memories of scents and they all come rushing back in

[Chris Shaw]

You made me smile here Kent. Mothballs :) Yes, I can associate the smell of mothballs with one of my great grandmother's. Give me perfume or cologne any day. Thanks for your visit.

Chris

[barleygirl]

This is a very fresh & poignant take on a familiar theme (wearing/smelling clothes of someone gone). You packed this with a ton of feeling & intensity . . . even tho I haven't had this experience, I feel as if I just did! (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Chris Shaw]

Many thanks Margie. Still miss him all these years later.

Chris