Always Five After

 

 

 

I really liked the painting over the fireplace

but at the time I tried to snap a picture of it

I was wearing an eye patch.

 

Had I held the camera up to my good eye

when I took the picture I may have gotten
the shot I wanted instead of this.

 

 

The small container on the stack of books was

purchased at J. Peterman many years ago.

 

It contains dried seeds and a powder

that has a fragrance so pleasantly mystical

that even the slightest whiff stops time.

I know this because exactly 12 hours ago
was when I opened the lid and took a smell
and I can see it is still five after.