Fragrance Poem by Namita Rani Panda

When the summer noon air
Wafts sweet fragrance of mango flowers,
Mind rushes to the mango grove in my village
Where I, escaping the watchman's eyes,
With my friends used to pluck mangoes in childhood days,
Relish the flavourful crunchy sharply sour raw mangoes,
And the sweet and sour spicy chutney with mint leaves,
Before my eyes parade the jars of pickles
Prepared by my granny with savoury stuffing,
Even with its memory my saliva trickles.
When the sweet scent of soil wafts in air
With the touch of the first drop of rain water,
I relive my childhood days
In my distant village
Where I used to craft and float paper boats
And play with my pals for hours together
Completely drenched in rain water
Without listening to the warnings of my mother.
With the stimulating spicy scent of kitchen
My mind flies to my loving mother
Who used to prepare delicious dishes with much love and care
Sitting beside me insisting me to take a little more
That with annoyance I used to refuse ever,
That now I miss and hanker,
The sweet aroma of kheer
Revives in me the flavour of that elixir:
The prasad prepared and offered to Lord Jagannath in my village temple
Though a little to relish, seemed more than ample
For which we used to wait for hours
Though a distant past, the flavour gets fresher.
The sweet smell of the soothing lavender
Triggers in me emotion, so lovely and pure,
Transports me to an exotic experience
Beyond time and space
To you my love, ever sweet and fresh.
The fragrance of an infant smeared with baby powder
Makes me feel your fragrance dear,
Though now you're miles afar
The thought of your warm embrace
Is the only source of happiness and my sole solace.
The power of fragrance is supremely significant
That can make past the present,
Brings back to life vivid memories
Transform each to an indelible story,
Evokes feelings so refreshing and thrilling,
So fulfilling and highly healing!