Sunday Poem — “Perfumed”

 

You,

who haven’t used a lavender, vanilla, or coconut shampoo in

months,

let alone jasmine, citrus, or Hawaiian-fresh bathing soap…

 

Who don’t think deodorant

is a good idea on these steamy

days…

 

Who make no use of cologne, or aftershave,

but instead

let us all enjoy your natural body odours

in the meeting room, in the kitchenette,

or in that slow, crowded elevator…

 

Congratulations!

 

You are in good compliance

with our latest guidelines

for a scent-free workplace.

 

If you could only avoid that

minty toothpaste…

 

(Editor’s note: poet Shai Ben-Shalom, an Israeli-born biologist, examines current events in the Blacklock’s tradition each and every Sunday)

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