House Smells of Nan

house smells of Nan

kitchen smells of:
boiled sprouts
bruised legs
and passageway to green grass

garden smells of:
bruised legs
not so green grass
and guilt at squashed veg.

over the road smells of:
pylons and the unknown

front gate smells of:
the promise of
tea and cakes

the backroom smells of:
fried bread and eggs
secret bags of unwanted leftovers
after dinner cakes
and stories of boats and swimming medals

corridor smells of:
photographs
and big black swirly telephones

living room smells of:
Grandad's shoes
jam on crackers
china tea cups
and spoilt American cousins
in glass cabinets

Grandad smells of:
listening
calmness
and good directions
the scent of glistening white hair
and decades of care

upstairs smells of:
fresh toilets
boiled sprouts
and too much soap

the small room smells of:
months of neglect
super duvets
and tired legs
clean linen
warm cacoons
and sleepy heads