The Perfume River

The perfume river is a far-away place
I go there once in a while, and when there,
I remain in that place for a long time.

I have to wander through thick jungles, cross
Huge mountain ranges, swim through torrents
Of violent waters, walk all day – to reach
This quasi-unreachable paradise of smells.

When I reach it – for you never know whether
It will be after a one-hour walk or after two days –
I always catch sight of the last ruby-red
Rays of a sunset that invariably comes back every evening.

When entering this earthly paradise,
Going through a leafy arch –
Sweet-smelling flowers blooming on it –
I slowly take in a beautifully
Arranged garden. Green is the dominant
Colour, but there are also touches of
Various reds and pinks, even purples,
Not forgetting the yellow spots here and there.

I wander through this seemingly endless garden,
Going where my fancy takes me.
I sometimes stop at some beautiful
Flowers that I try to imprint on my mind.
I also touch them to get their smell
On my hands. What a divine smell!!
So sweet. So subtle and yet so unforgettable.
I look up at the treetops and wonder how old these trees might be.

I see a bunch of orange trees at a little distance.
I approach, looking at them the way one looks at a person
- Searching for a ripe orange to pick and to eat.
I find one, and carefully pick it, not wanting
The others to fall from the heavy-laden boughs.
As I peel it, the zest liberates its essence, which
Trickles slowly down my fingers, pervading my senses.
I bite into the fleshy orange segments, and the juice
Runs slowly down my lips. I lick it away, delighted,
Savouring every drop. As I finish eating the orange,
I walk by mint bushes, and the leaves caress my
Bare legs and hands as I stretch them out. I feel
The freshness on my skin, like a breath, as a
Breeze caresses my naked limbs.
I continue my walk past rose bushes – a much
Penetrating scent reaches me – and I slowly lay down among them.

Above the roses, I notice a peach tree which is
Planted right in their middle. I reach out to catch
Hold of one bough, and I pick a peach. As I
Touch it, its smell emanates from its velvet skin.
What delectation to touch its skin, sensing some
Irregularities beneath it. As I continue
Playing with my peach – not daring to bite into it
For fear of chasing this agreeable scent –
I notice the still distant perfume of lavender.
As I have noticed it, I don’t smell the roses
Any more, but focus on this new smell
Which approaches quicker and quicker, growing
More odorous from moment to moment.
This scent is pervading the air, and all my senses
Are alert to it – I even close my eyes
To sense it better – And I begin to feel sleepy all of a sudden.

I fall – dreamy – into a feathery bed
Closing my eyes delightedly, being
Replete with all these delicious perfumes.

The last scent that strikes me is

Pure air, as after it has rained.