5 senses.

Another exercise with the writing group. I was asked to compose s short piece involving all five senses. I actually ended up composing two pieces, one prose the other in verse. In deference to the subject title I wanted to restrict the verse to five lines, but it didn't quite work out like that.... oh well... even Shakespeare was known to nod on one of his off days.

Lost, then found.

This is what we used to call a ‘pea souper!’ A fog so thick I can taste it, sooty and unpleasant, clinging to the roof of my mouth, making me want to cough and spit both at the same time. But I’m afraid to open my mouth in case the dank odorous vapour gets into my throat and drowns me.

Ahead, a street light illuminates the grey mass with a diffused yellow glow from which a dark shape assumes a human form. Large, … oh much larger than myself, leaning forwards as if searching for its injured prey and advancing towards me.

“Is that you Thomas?”

Now I can discern it’s female form, but it’s the trembling tone of anxiety and relief in equal measure that I respond to.

“Yes,” I exclaim and rush quickly forwards to be enveloped into the warmth and security of her arms wrapped around my shoulders. I feel her pulling me close, hugging my face tightly into her warm soft belly. Her perfume. Eau de cologne or Chanel number 5, I’m too young to discern which, slowly disperses the foggy smell from my nostrils, and I begin to sob with relief.

“There… there… don‘t cry,” my mothers voice murmurs from above my head, from beyond the shelter of my rediscovered womb. “ I’ve found you haven’t I? …You weren’t really lost at all were you?…. You’re safe now!… ”

Tropic Nigella.

Watching your practised fingers,

Crumbling sugary shortbread biscuits

Into bowls of swirling, delicious chocolate;

Listening to your voice softly suggesting

Your kitchens various seductive aromas;

Can cooking, Nigella, taste this erotic?