Issue 1:
Air
John Schmoyer
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A Whiff the Nose Knows
There is a whiff the nose knows
when it takes to outdoors.
It is a hill lifted skyward
set upon broad shoulders -
the valley fresh holding onto its breath -
a soft sensitive meadow
crossed over by the wind.
These are the first to feel a great change
the first to be sprayed the moment it rains -
the first to get cut by a golden spade -
the first to be awakened with a sting of pain -
and the first to applaud when winter gets paid.
There is a whiff women know
when out in the yard
blown from the west on the wings of time
early they smell them hung up on the line
peach, pear, apple and cherry.
And the children too,
know something is up
Off with the wool and on with the cotton.
There is a whiff the nose knows
when filled with these things
a time of unlocking,
a time we call spring.
~John Schmoyer
John teaches Social Studies at the secondary level in Pennsylvania. He has completed two poetry manuscripts. Email.
© 1999 by John Schmoyer. All Rights Reserved.
© 2000-2002 by Cayuse Press. All Rights Reserved.
This page updated April 23, 2002.