Clinique 'Happy' Revised

Clinique ‘Happy’
brings back memories
as it ‘swooshes’ in off my boss
and
up my quivering nostrils

She's a whole different generation to the girl I recall
and
she has no idea
that her choice of perfume on this day
could conjure
such vivid memories
from my history
a life lost in time
from days over
a decade gone

They were school days
my first proper girlfriend
all giggles and jealousy
desperate attempts to 'make'
a higher level
bravado tell tales to friends
and warm finger pies up against the back of bedroom doors
hot breath and whispering
stretched school uniforms
strewn across floors

The struggle of emotions
grappling with my teenage hormones
a developing sense of personality
pain growing
out of bones
and tender firm muscle
torso

It was always worth it
the parental ‘rollickings’ for returning home late
the tantrums
and the overblown devotion
the hold she had over me
that ‘ahead of her years’ ability
to frustrate
the aching adolescent lump in my shorts
“not today pretty boy
I must entertain my cohorts”
queuing up and down the road they were
to get into
where I was
next to the ripeness
of her
nubile body

and

That perfume
engulfing each and every moment
Clinique ‘Happy’

And now my boss
talks at me
about things I don't even see
or recognise
in the shadow
of my remembering dreams
flashing through my mind

Another life it was
oh how many we live
another time I guess
passed
and revised