What is that smell?

Some one has left the stove on,
Milk on the boil ,forgotten
Boiled milk burnt and charred
Flames smothered ,gone 

Gas leaks
with a hiss
charred milk
smells sick

What is that smell?
Forgetfulness
carelessness
perhaps all

Cloves and cinnamon

turmeric and cardamom

smells of my grandmom

select memories from

a childhood

misty and good

wherein lay

order and array

What is that smell?

Must be sweet

nostalgic fleet

pitter patter

tiny feet

raindrops scatter

Cigarette smoke 

cousins who joke

wisps of burning wood

should be good

outdoor meals

laughter peals

succulent meat

 a culinary feat 

What is that smell ?

of  adolescence

failures and survival

evanescence

Dettol and methylated spirit

scrubbing fluid and sanitiser 

bitter pills and sweaty armpit

Savlon and oxygen humidifier

Someone just came in 

with strenuous breathing 

life spirit fighting 

body ailing 

What is that smell?

Hospitals and sundry wards

sending prayers heavenwards

some live some depart

what is left afterwards?

journeys 

on gurneys

Enact 

or depart

That is the smell of life 

Of invincible hope 

and invisible rope

of terrifying scope

and numbing dope