My Favourite Scents – Wyleian Double-Sonnet XXXII
Nature’s Scents
Of all scents that my garden plots pervade
progressively as seasons come and go,
Lavender and Daphne always steal the show
whether in brilliant sunshine or in shade.
Another favourite scent at any hour
while standing in a field of new-mown hay
as, from damp soil, steam rises and away,
sun breaking through dispels a recent shower.
The breath of salt-scent wafting from the sea
my senses savour and my mind enthrals,
whether in calm or blown by gusting squalls,
just to inhale sea-air is ecstasy.
These are a few of nature’s many scents
that never cease my mind to influence.
Man-made Scents
Exotic, fragrant incense slowly burning
is redolent, to me, of former times;
exploring ancient temples, holy shrines
and longing, constantly, to be returning.
A sunny day with friendly folk to gather;
light, happy conversation, drinks and nibbles
as juicy meat, while barbecuing, dribbles.
Ah! That’s a scent that I will always savour.
A subtle fragrance, faint, not all-pervading,
just present as she walks into a room;
a woman wearing quality perfume.
Now, that’s a scent that heeds no man’s persuading.
Whether of Nature or manmade, these scents,
(faint to discern or startlingly intense),
invoke my memories and stir my sense.
Hugh Wyles, December 1st. 2004.
Author notes
This is my response to Susan's Sonnet "Heaven Scent" allpoetry.com/Poem/919317
not as a competitor but as a complement. She has posted a new Sonnet "Simple Sounds" allpoetry.com/Poem/924026
in answer to my sonnet on "Sounds". It has been really good fun comparing notes and collaborating on these four works.
Susan is an absolutely wonderful partner to work with.
Written December 2nd, 2004
In a list
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Comments
1 - 11 of 11
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Wow this poem is so beautiful...Very wonderful job! Honestly!
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Dear Kimberly,
Thankyou for reading and applauding this. I am sure you will enjoy Susan's sonnets equally. I am now going to read your latest write.
Love and hugs, XXX Hugh. -
This is simply breathtaking Hugh. WoW! You have done an absolutely stunning job here my friend. I have just recently become introduced to Susan's work so I will have to read her response to your's as well. You two have created a masterpiece here. This gave me such a much needed feeling of tranquility and serenity. I just love this. You are such a delight to read. I almost hate to leave your page Hugh.
Thank you for such an amazing pleasure my friend! 
~Kimberly -
This is wonderful. I will have to run and read Susans. It is so amazing how our sense of smell can be so strong. They say it is the strongest of the them all. It is burlap bags that takes me to my childhood the most. Potato sacks from the barn. I won't go into any details, but such a strong memory from that smell.
Thank you, both.
cheryl -
Dear Susan,
This last few days, for reasons which you will well understand, has turned my mind to thoughts of mortality
and I have a couple of writes for you to look at when
you feel up to it. Love and hugs, XXX Hugh. -
beautiful~
I love nature as you well know
I also love lavender, it is relaxing and brings also sweet dreams
This is another beautiful collob you and Susan have done
Darn wish I had some lavender bath salts as I am heading for a nice relaxing bath, ahhhhh smelling lavender would be heaven but I can reflect and think of your poem while I am getting squeaky clean
Love this you all
Beautiful
Hugs n love
Susan~~~
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wonderful Sonnet
Well hugh and Susan, you've done it again, completely enthralled me with your Sonnets, this one is no exception. apart from roses I love the smell of lavender and jasmine, man made ones hmmm, can't think of any particular one at the moment, but I do love the smell of barbeques. Love~Bea
Applause Hug -
OK. I know there is an extra line in the 'couplet' at the end but (i) it is a double-sonnet,(ii) the line is in parentheses (so doesn't count) and (iii) Dammit, I liked that line and didn't want to pull it out!
Edited on Dec 02, 3:17 p.m. because ''. -
I just love the scent of lavender, I have some here that a friend brought from Provence, and yet they are dry, the smell is still wonderful.
Man-made scents, hm...Givenchy's Extravagance or Gucci's Envy
(psst, tips for Christmas present)
Hugh and Susan, this poem colored my eyes and left a wonderful aroma in the air.
Very well done, as usual!
Ah, and I liked the additional line too.
Kisses,
Mari
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You two have such a wonderful poetic romance going. Thank you for bringing us into it with you.
Nature has the purest and most pleasant scents. Though both have their good and bad ones.
Another set of wonderfully done sonnets. Enjoyment that is never disappointing.
Sam
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Yes it has!
Been fun comparing notes. I think almost anyone would include the sight and sound of the ocean in their list. I was thinking manmade scents... What would mine be? maybe fresh baked bread, or the interior of a new car.
I think I will save that for another day.
Where are we headed next???
Susan
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