nose

my greatest enemy
is my nose
which sits in proximity
to my head

together they conspire
against my heart
who has mostly forgotten
about December 12, 2000
until alerted to
a spilled off brand cleaner
in Target aisle 7
the same one used on
cafeteria tables
with girls who laugh at unshaved legs

my nose takes notes
like some kind of detective in a 70s police show
sniffing in memories
cataloging them for betrayal

bananas
rain
grilled pimento cheese sandwiches
perfume
detergent

i am held hostage
by scents reminding me of grief and pain
and at times
i would just like to cut it off
look at me! The great sphinx of pretending-its-alright!

but then
i smell my daughter's head
my husband's shirts
my mother's sewing room
my father's kitchen

and i wonder
if betrayal
is a small price to pay
for something that smells
so
sweet