The scent of birth is a heady perfume
Its base note is loamy- earth, sweat, blood
Aquiline top note – soft, clear water, salty tears, grassy newness
Between
another layer floats, subtle and persistent -clean wax of vernix
another layer floats, subtle and persistent -clean wax of vernix
The scent of birth surges
Baby greets mother
newborn hair anoints nipple and lips
The scent of birth stays
paperwork is done
midwife’s bags repacked
The scent of birth lingers
clinging to scrubbed hands and clean clothes
It follows me home
Crossing under lintel
I hold out my wrist
“Honey, smell this”
He sniffs
He shrugs -nothing there
Vernal scents push kitchen curtain
Lacy dance
Wet earth, fresh cut grass, ozone, earthworms, damp blossoms
The scent of birth is here
It was here all along
~K Michelle Doyle
May all babies be born into loving hands
Lovely. Simply lovely.