Sickly-Sweet (Poetry)

So many of the sweet-breath smells
are killers now —
carcinogens —
now there’s a pretty word
for us to conjure with.

The artificial waft of floral scents
to soften fabric
fill our nasal vents —
lull is into orchard moods
with artifice
of chemical perfume.

And when the headaches come
amidst a cloying cloud
of orchid, musk and rose
with one last gasp we’ll drink
the deadly poison-stink
of the perfumes commerce chose.