Suddenly I Am

suddenly i am
in a white-walled room
with air washed fresh by the sea
while beauty descends.
i cannot see your
clothes,
your eyes or hair,
but i smell beauty.
it is neither lemon
nor rose nor lily,
lilac or orange-blossom.
it is not clover in a hot meadow
nor new-mown hay, nor wild strawberry.
it is neither honey
nor wine in a king's chalice.
women might smell of perfume
out of vials and bottles;
but you are beauty.
i taste your scent-
nectar and ambrosia-
in a white-walled room,
with air washed fresh by the sea.