lemon verbena

the smell reminds me of childhood.

i bend my face to the open jar,
’oh it is so sweet’.

in all of the ways.

distinct.

growing under elecampane that towers above.
generous.
tiny green leafed shoots.
the older stems are woody at the base,
increasing in softness, fresh green where it greets the sky.
including all when making this medicine.
wanting to capture its essence, each part.

my father was a physician’s assistant when i was a young girl,
pivoting, following his heart,
to honor lineage and family,
to bring to life the story of land.
terroir.
the art of turning grape to wine.
as process, each step informing the next,
illuminating self, relationship, and the story of the season.

he would travel to france each year,
bringing home soap.
a sensitivity to sense and scent.
informing his work.

i had to put my drugstore ‘perfume’ on when i was far away from the home.
if it followed me home,
he would sigh and say he could taste it.

one soap.
handmade.
the scent-
lemon verbena.

cleansing.
in the sweetest way.

may you have deep relationship with your unique sense.
all ways.
always.