This morning a smell took me back.
Summerhouse
with a squishy marbleized mat on the kitchen floor,
Dutch doors split
corralling us, allowing salty air.
This morning a smell took me back.
Sea & Ski.
Chinese Checkers.
Wooden docks.
Brick steps.
This morning a smell took me back.
Worn towel
next to Daddy’s.
Straw hat on, he grabs my brother’s hand
step, step at the water’s edge.
This morning a smell took me back.
Sidewalks frame
the sea wall
that holds high street lights
and evening sand that cling to my feet.
This morning a smell took me back.
Ferry rides.
Ferris wheels.
Cotton candy.
Bumper cars.
This morning a smell took me back.
Packed tight
alleys and telephone poles
threaten
the sides of the station wagon.
This morning that smell took me back
Foggy beginnings,
quiet evenings
alone.
Magical dribble castles washed away.
Every summer, my parents would rent a beach house. The kids were allowed to run free in this island town. Unbelievable simple and sweet times. This morning, triggered by the smell of my shampoo, those memories came back.
Thank you, Two Writing Teachers Blog for the March Slice of Life Challenge to write daily. Writing forces me to notice and remember details that make up my past and present. Read more slices here.
To Read To Write To Be 
Oh, so lovely and so simple. I love the repetition, the memories that floated back into your mind. I was waiting with anticipation for the smell that brought you back, thinking it was a food. Shampoo was a surprise! Thanks for a lovely read!
Scent is such a powerful trigger, and you captured the details of your seaside memories so well! Thanks for allowing us to join in.
What shampoo was it? Scent triggers so many emotions. I once wrote a great story after smelling dirt.
Dirt! Wow. It’s called Nopoo. Smells are transporters.
Nopoo didn’t make it into your poem. What a name!
I use Nopoo too! I love you.
Yay for curly girls!
You are so right, smells are transporters. Love it when a smell or sound takes you back to a pleasant place and time. What a wonderful place you had every summer!
Smell is such a powerful trigger — this is such a lovely poem. I love how it tells a story and brings us with you every step of the way. I was wondering what smell triggered it – so I am glad you shared it. Hoping I am providing these types of memories for my kids… important to remember -simple and sweet times. Thank you
We’re headed for our 5th year on the beach. I hope my grandchildren keep those memories too, Julieanne. I love reading all the things you remember.
Smells and music are instant memory triggers. LOVE this!!!
Love it! Will undoubtedly “borrow” your device when I teach an upcoming workshop. Thanks for sharing. Lovely memories…
Smells are so very powerful. Strangely I love the mixture of diesel and cigarette smoke (although hate both smells individually) because it reminds me of living in Slovakia. This piece was really wonderful. I too felt transported!
This was so wonderful to read, Julieanne – poetry, memory, and wistfulness.
This would be a fabulous mentor text to teach students the power of a single word change because the repetition of a smell vs that smell was really striking to me as a reader. Love the images and the connections within the poem.
You noticed! Ah, Melanie. You are a close reader!
Smells are such strong memory makers and yet there are so few words to describe them. Your poem took me through your experience. I could smell, taste, feel, and see it.
So lovely! I love the repeating lines and the image of sand clinging to your feet. Your poem took me back to my childhood summers in Newport Beach! Thanks for a walk down memory lane.
You got it! That’s the spot.👣
No way! Balboa Island? Small world!
Yep!