Marvelous Scented July

Because it can’t be bottled
clover’s scent, something close to
fresh-mown grass sprinkled with brown sugar,
will never be captured, distilled for us
instead
let this small poem
stand in for scent
so when February comes, we’ll remember
this morning’s long walk together
How these late July hills are covered in purple clover
as lovely as any French postcard of lavender fields
But so close you can catch the scent
sweetening our view, softening our air
here, right here, where we live
in this marvelous July