Olfaction

Out of all the turmoil in to which my hormones have thrown me

The worst is my enhanced olfactory acuity

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On random days in my life, and during specific periods such as pregnancy

My sense of olfaction seems to gain an intensity

That makes it difficult for me to get through the day

Every pleasant or unpleasant whiff that comes my way

Feels nauseating, makes me queasy

My sense of smell does not adapt, I remain uneasy

Given that my place of work has varied smells not exactly pleasant

This enhanced sense of smell poses an impediment…

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As I write about my olfactory ability

I am reminded that COVID has caused much debility

In this department in years recent

The inability to perceive any taste or scent

Used to be a hallmark of this illness

I must actually consider myself blessed

That my sense of smell has stayed intact

That the virus has not infected my olfactory tract

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Some strong odors seem headed my way

Before they make me sick, let me move away