Sniff

Having a long nose ought to be a benefit.
It should mean more olfactory sensors
and, ergo, a heightened sense of smell.
And smell, as we all know, is the sense
most keenly connected to our memory.

If I close my eyes, my languid eyes, and sniff
I go back - retreating to my childhood
and a back yard with jasmine and hibiscus.
The sun: a pedant crossing the sky,
and me - in a straw hat and summer dress
waiting for my cousins and their dog Jess.

Nowadays the sun hurries on its way,
shadows race across the yard and I wear
a warm sweater as I sit, wait and sniff.