I usually do this early to avoid the heat and let the water seep in. Earth was very thirsty, and it seems grateful. From nowhere, came a damp, intense, sensation. A most wonderful smell arrived, warm, happy, moist, filled with promise; all in sudden quiet blasts. I imagined silent yells of “thank you, now I can nurture my plant babies.” Two or three more times, Earth spoke, then fell silent as it moved on to the important business of tending its growing plant kingdom. “Oh,” you say, “he’s full of it, dirt can’t talk, what a crock.” Well, I’ve watered a plant or two, and that smell is quite rare, at least for me. Did it tickle my fancy? You bet it did, enjoy!

SMELL EARTH DRINKING

Whenever it’s really hot I’m thinking,

In that time, I can smell the Earth drinking.

Is it thanks or smiles; do not know, don’t care,

Life slows as the world takes this time to share.

Tickles my nostrils, confounds the senses,

Mind departs to a place, aren’t any fences.

Water spraying, inhaled by each flower,

Thanking this Earth for holding such power.

In response silent soil gives forth its yell,

Explosion, laughs, indescribable smell.

Picture without paint, there for a minute,

Lucky indeed, to be there and in it.

Dappled with coolness, racy and tingle,

Wading through ripples, other thoughts mingle.

Plants nodding happy, life’s blood their drinking,

All this from a hose; poor brain is thinking.

I’m back from my journey, one way too short,

Cannot sail again, left marooned in port.

So, I water flowers, sweat drips from nose,

Then boom, there’s that smell, my consciousness goes.