The Smell of Absence 

rebellion_in_sanity

Sitting on the stairs in pitch dark,
immersed in the sound of night.
Glow of cigarettes, the only light;
mind numb with loss, 
no desire to go on.

 

Faint footsteps, 
registered in your anesthetized senses.  
You wondered whose was it?

 

A female voice came from behind,
asked: what you were doing there.
No fear did you feel,
only a mild irritation.
Who was it?

 

Silence......
Surrounded by the sound of absence 

 

Another drag of cigarette;
in its bright glow, you felt vexed—  
it was too bright,  
perhaps a disrespect,
to the sanctity of the dark.

 

You felt her sit beside you,  
felt a touch on your hand.
The female voice asked —  
Did you lose your love?

 

Silence......
Surrounded by her absence.

 

And you could smell the shampoo  
you'd smelled so many times  
on your love.

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Comments +

Comments9

  • sorenbarrett

    Now this can be taken two ways and I love that. Either it is one's lost love found or a siren seductively using the old smell to attract a new relationship. Well done

    • rebellion_in_sanity

      Thank you so much for the read and comment. Deeply appreciate your support 🙏

      • sorenbarrett

        It is my pleasure rebellion

      • Doggerel Dave

        Grief deep induces...

        • rebellion_in_sanity

          Grief can play tricks on the mind. Thank you very much. Deeply appreciate your support 🙏

        • Neville



          Absolutely lovely .. I swear I just caught the scent of green apples as I opened the page .. 😎💛💛🍏🍏🍏💛👍

          • rebellion_in_sanity

            🤣😇😁 thank you so much! Deeply appreciate your support 🙏

          • Neville

          • Bella Shepard

            This poem has a film noir quality that evokes the sense of loss quite vividly. It has a wonderful structure, as if it is being played out in real time before the reader. Beautifully done!

            • rebellion_in_sanity

              Thank you for your kind words. Deeply appreciate your support 🙏

            • NinjaGirl

              Now I've heard of the sound of silence, but the smell of it is a whole new level! Well done!

              • rebellion_in_sanity

                Please accept my gratitude for your kind words. Deeply appreciate your support 🙏

                • NinjaGirl

                  Of course!

                • Tristan Robert Lange

                  Reading this, I felt that familiar ache…how loss can make silence louder than sound, and how memory walks right beside us in the dark. Powerful poem, my friend. 🌹🖤🙏🕯️🐦‍⬛

                  • rebellion_in_sanity

                    Thank you very much for your kindness. Deeply appreciate your support 🙏

                    • Tristan Robert Lange

                      You are most welcome, my friend! As do I yours. The feeling is mutual and I am thankful for you, your poetry, and your presence here on MPS.

                    • Thomas W Case

                      Wow. You bring this to vivid life.

                      • rebellion_in_sanity

                        Thank you very much for your kindness. Deeply appreciate your support 🙏

                      • NafisaSB

                        wondering whether it was just her memory, or the start of a new and maybe beautiful relationship - your choice...

                        • rebellion_in_sanity

                          Open to interpretation. I wrote about her memory. But, your question made me take another look- and it fits the new beginning perfectly. Thank you for asking and your read. Greatly appreciate your support 🙏

                          • NafisaSB

                            glad to have opened up a new thought process..
                            keep up the good work..take care.



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