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 ...

[Carina Baumert]

This is an excellent piece of writing that anyone can relate to. Remarkably well written and I also liked the imagery. Thanks for the poem

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Carina, thank you so much for your very encouraging review. I appreciate you checking in.

Chris

[Lorry]

The senses evoke yesterday's, which are forgotten in the Al too briefest of moments we can replay and the warmth it brings, yet the pain of knowing it is a fleeting pause in reality and the tears of what has passed soon follow like a badly written epilogue to a beautiful memory... But it wouldn't be so painful if he wasn't so sorely missed, which is surely the epitaph of a good man and life.
I can't believe it's almost 20 years since my Dad passed, feels surreal that it wasn't just the other day.
My memory is a reverse of yours Chris. Sadness first, then smiles at his final word to me " b******s!" it was when I told him about 9/11 and he passed a few days later in hospital.
Typically succinct, no nonsense reply from the guy who never fussed.
A beautiful memory to share, of what he meant to you.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Lorry. Almost thirty years now. He left far too soon, and suddenly too. I had a premonition he was going to die. I acted on it and travelled two hundred miles a couple of days later. He was diagnosed with cancer on the Sunday and died on the Monday. I was the only one of his five children to see him the day he died. A small mercy for me. Thanks for sharing your story with me. I still miss my Dad even now. He was a great Dad, strong but fair.

Chris

[.]

A very painful write here. He is not there with you but his memory has. Keep that memory alive in your heart. Parents are precious.... I really want to hug my parent but due to this covid situation..... You left me teary eyed.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Sima. Parents are precious. You don't know when they will be taken from you. Sometimes it is much sooner than expected. Always appreciate your visits and support. Fondest.

Chris

[Patricia]

This is painful but beautiful and I know exactly how you feel. This write is full of emotion so heavy that it knocks me over.

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you Patricia. A old poem out for an airing. I appreciate your visit.

Chris

[Ruth]

Oh Chris...this reached me on so many levels. My Dad died on the 3rd December and though it has been 15 years, I miss him so much, he was my friend as well as Dad so I completely understand the emotion wrapped around this piece. My heart hurts from reading the pain enveloped in this poem and it took me to my own Dad's dressing gown. He hated it but towards the end he was in hospital so much he had to wear it, I wanted to keep it when he died but just couldn't face doing so though I remember the smell of Old Spice on it. I did keep other things instead but couldn't seem to hang on to that for some reason...this broke my heart as excellent poetry that is real does break one's heart...much love to you Chris...

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you so much Ruth and so sorry you too are without your Dad. It's been many years and yet not a day goes by without me thinking of him. He went suddenly and at sixty, we were left reeling. I really appreciate your review. Sending love...Chris

[Ruth]

I understand Chris...my Dad was 51 and though he had rare issues, it devastated us all...returning love, keep smiling ey :)

[Chris Shaw]

ay, we keep smiling .... pleased he isn't around to see the devastation of covid

[Cassie]

I am so sorry for your loss my dear, this poem is so heartbreaking. May God keep comforting you

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Cassie of the smiling face, it is thirty years ago now, but the loss is still there. Not quite as raw as it once was, but he is surely missed. I thank you for choosing this poem to read and bringing my Dad close to me this morning. I love you for that.

Chris

[Cassie]

Hugs to you!!

[Chris Shaw]

Thank you and to you too :)

[Coyote Poetry]

I do understand the poetry dear Chris. I have kept things from my father, my grandmother. I need them to remember them. The simple things become valuable, even if they can bring sadness. Thank you for sharing the powerful and worthwhile words.
Coyote

[Chris Shaw]

Those little things can have a strong hold on us Coyote. Makes us feel rooted. Many thank yous.
read moreThose little things can have a strong hold on us Coyote. Makes us feel rooted. Many thank yous.

Chris

[Coyote Poetry]

You are welcome dear Chris.

[Fran Marie]

funny that certain
scents can bring
back such deep
emotions to the fore
my mom wore
tabu perfume and
had a rose colored
robe I would cuddle up in...

I emulate her to this day
all her habits and quirks
such memories your
lovely words conjured up
thanks for sharing this

[Chris Shaw]

Tabu was the very first perfume I wore Fran Marie. Thank you for checking this older write out. Pleased it made you think of your dear mum.

Chris

[Fran Marie]

you re so welcome
dear Chris
sorry I was on
my grdsons page
checking his acct out

[Chris Shaw]

No problem :)

[Akshay Rawal]

We humans are so responsive to fragrances that they sometimes teleport us to a nostalgic, distinctive space that lingers around. That feeling is so strong and I have felt it a lot of times.

I hug my dad sometimes, he smells of tobacco mingled with the scent of sweat, and it reminds me of my childhood, extreme summer days in India when I would rest my tiny self on his pot belly, which would elevate and suppress due to his breathing, while there's a cooler fan whizzing and blowing humid air at us.

Thanks for sharing. This poem evoked a nostalgic, cherishable feeling in me.

[Chris Shaw]

Dear Akshay, really pleased that you got so much from my poem. It was delightful that you shared your Dad with me. Thank you so much for your valued visit.

Chris

[Dripping Chocolate Madn..]

:) old spice. that's what does it for me.
Old spice and Papa. Great man.
Scent memory is something else.

LOVELY write. LOVELY. I could smell bassy notes of musk the whole time. And maybe a hint of cardamom?

[Chris Shaw]

DCM, so pleased you thought of your Papa and Old Spice when you read my poem. Your review, quite lovely. Thank you. I remember Old Spice too :)

Chris