and the sound was comforting.

     Its bright hues so different from the gray

flannel I've been wearing inside and out.

     Someone said, jasmine, and I could smell magenta

jasmine petals. Then ginger and nutmeg and allspice

     which is pimento. I recalled a winterless island,

its blue mountains and crystal shorelines. Someone said,

     jasmine, and for a moment I forgot about death

and more death. It took me away in that moment.

It took me away when someone said, jasmine.