Perfumes of Memory


I often visited my brother and his wife in their small line side cottage

Colin worked for the railways as a crossing keeper on a lightly used line

It had once been much busier before the southern rerouting

They lived near a small fruit town which was always busy with itinerants

Who had come to pick the fruits as the season slowly matured

Katherine looked after an allotment behind their cottage

Where they grew many vegetables for the kitchen

I was made very welcome on each of my visits

My brother always placed her sleepy grasses

Into my small room to help me relax in the heat

Their cottage was also perfumed

By beautiful mimosa flowers

Which left a sweet and honeyed scent

In all rooms especially as the day faded


Lucian