Diffusion

How like a friend
Showing your better side
Floral fragrance creeps
Through my open window
And aromatics seep
From forest carpet after
A first winter rain.

How like a friend
Becoming quiet foe
(Ambush unsuspecting),
As acrid skunk odor
Fills my burning nose, or
odorless poisonous gas,
From trusting overmuch.

Bryan Ness
Published in Spectrum's Edge