I have no burnt offerings,
nor fragrant incense to offer –
Yet I will praise you,
God in highest heaven,
for the joy of the gift of smell.
The tantalising aroma
of fresh coffee beans
that presages
a heart-lifting brew.
The apple-ripe scent
of yeast
and the warm smell
of fresh baked bread.
The fragrance of strawberries
perfectly captured
in the jam,
as a delight all year round.
The complex layers
of red wine,
hints of berries and spice,
intoxicating my nose.
The sweet perfume of honeysuckle
and rose,
when I peer into the heart
of each delicate bloom.
The smell of the river,
with muted undertones
of weed and mud,
floats along on the breeze.
The musk of the stag
as the rut begins;
and the tang
of autumn’s decaying leaves.
Thanks be to you, Our God,
for such fragrant offerings
that lift heart and soul
in endless praise.
