(The amygdala and hippocampus
receive the information
from the olfactory bulb
before routing it to the thalamus,
already conjuring memories
before awareness of the scent
is formed in the conscious mind.)
Four eggs perch in my grandmother’s bowl
among the fragrant tangerines,
waiting to take a crack into the citrus-y batter
where the luscious dates await.
The air is scented with oranges
and roasting pecans,
the fragrance of a kitchen
that no longer exists.
*** Twelve Days of Angels, Day Ten
thecourseofourseasons 
how you describe what happens in the brain to conjure memories of scents — so interesting. the word “awareness” echoes “thalamus.” how pleasing! and at the end you allow us to imagine aromas from a kitchen that no longer exists. how moving. different topic: i hope that you and your family remain safe from the flood.
Fruitcake is not my fav but your description sounds heavenly 🙂 Merry Christmas!
Merry Christmas, Lynn. It is a delicious cake – Orange Date Cake – technically a fruitcake, but almost a pound cake with dates, pecans, orange juice and an orange glaze that is poured over the hot cake making it very moist. It is a family recipe that is baked every year. Wish you could pop in for a slice and cup of Christmas tea ❤
me too! 😀
I am enjoying your titles as much as the poems:) Oh, those closing lines, “the fragrance of a kitchen that no longer exists – except, thankfully, it still lives in our memories.