(My interpretation of Victoria Slotto’s challenge on dVersePoets to explore “a neurological condition called synesthesia in which the patient confuses sensation. For example, he may taste a fragrance, or hear a flower….”)
I smell the anger
on the hand that tastes
the silent jawbone
circling the slick tongue
that hears strawberry
scented syllables
of profanity
war and violence.
And I can touch Peace
singing behind them
in defiance of
the putrid chorus
of mute goose-stepping
painted hypocrites.
(Written for dVersePoets, “Synesthesia–Sensory Confusion, or…?” dVerse Meeting the Bar, May 30, 2013.)
vb's reverbs 
first three lines really nail this for me…anger i think does have a smell…but that jawbone line is way cool…if only we could touch peace you know…but we can def sing it behind the goose steppers…smiles…cool response…
What a great idea to take an emotion to interpret as you have. Anger, for me, does have color, taste, scent. Our bodies remember those feelings, I suppose, in terms of sensations that surround us when we experience them. I want to pay more attention to this.
Some powerfully intriguing verse you have shared here today. I really like the end:
“And I can touch Peace
singing behind them
in defiance of
the putrid chorus
of mute goose-stepping
painted hypocrites.” Well done !!
Wow, that is powerful in the emotion it exudes.
Pamela
Great opening lines ~ I also thought it was creative of you to combine strawberry scented syllables with profanity of war and violence ~
strawberry
scented syllables
Yes!! Ditto to what’s been said.
This is very strong. I can also smell anger within these words. I like ‘strawberry scented syllables’ as well!
smell the anger and profanity and war and violence…RANCIDDDDDD oooooooooooooo powerful
Smelling anger…
Anger fought with peace. This is fantastic and powerful. Great write. -Mike
Oh yes… anger smells and taste such an overwhelming feeling it mess up all other senses… Wonderful writing 🙂
Packed with strong emotion – great work.
hand that tastes
the silent jawbone
A good fist to the jaw ain’t no party for the receiver. That’s why I stopped going into them ol’ honky tonk bars long ago. I got tired of being the receiver or deliverer.
I was hoping people would recognize “I’ll give you a taste of my fist” from old movies–glad you gave up taking that challenge literally!
…i am glad that peace is still tangible in your world back there… a refreshing view & i enjoyed it… thanks for the poem… smiles…
smelling anger… hearing strawberry scented syllables and touching peace…wonderful way to make the abstract so palpable..
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