smells like the American dream
My friend Jacqui wrote a rather eloquent and touching note about her new prius and the American dream. “A new car smells like the American dream” she wrote:-) on facebook. It made me smile and now I respond with my thoughts.
the american dream does indeed NOW smell like a new japanese import.
In times past it smelled like gunpowder
and sounded like the click clack of rifle loading
it smelled like the sea
and sounded like the waves on a new shore
it smelled like tobacco
and sounded like a whip
it smelled like a machine shop
and sounded like a hammer
it smelled like a dank canvas military ruck sack
and sounded like the rhythmic marching of boots
it smelled like perfume from a letter home
and sounded like rapid unrolling of medical tape
it smelled like a burning draft card
and sounded like a riot
it smelled like a crisp check on the first of the month
and sounded like bass drum and electric wa-wa guitar
it smelled like burning flesh
and sounded like tumbling buildings
My countries heroes in Boston did not see it.
They fought before there was America but there was indeed a dream. Risked all for a country that only existed in their minds.
Indeed a dream that they could only smell and hear.
And when I close my eyes and really concentrate
it smells like the black leather box lined with felt that holds my fathers medals. And it sounds like the crunch of snow under my boots on a sub zero driveway walk.
And thats just it. I can smell it and I can hear it.
But I could not see it. Until now.
I see it very clearly now:-)
