Smoke: tobacco burning, coal smoke, wood-fire smoke, leaf smoke. Most of all, leaf smoke. This is the only odor I can will back to consciousness just by thinking about it. I can sit in a chair, thinking, and call up clearly to mind the smell of burning autumn leaves, coded and stored away somewhere in a temporal lobe, firing off explosive signals into every part of my right hemisphere. But nothing else: if I try to recall the thick smell of Edinburgh in winter, or the accidental burning of a plastic comb, or a rose, or a glass of wine, I cannot do this; I can get a clear picture of any face I feel like remembering, and I can hear whatever Beethoven quartet I want to recall, but except for the leaf bonfire I cannot really remember a smell in its absence. To be sure, I know the odor of cinnamon or juniper and can name such things with accuracy when they turn up in front of my nose, but I cannot imagine them into existence.
~ Lewis Thomas, A Long Line of Cells: Collected Essays
Notes:
- Photo: Thank you Doug @ Electicitylight
- Related Posts: Lewis Thomas
Leaves burning, air that stings a little when inhaled, hugging a sweater around the shoulders and realizing how perfect it is.
I can feel and smell your description. And just as I write this, a flock of geese passed overhead. Coincidence?
The reptilian brain in action—scents evoke memory, not the other way around.
Yes. That’s it Sandy.
yes, one of my favorite sensory experiences. this is so well described here –
It is.
Another great post!
Thank you Marlan
You’re welcome!
Now just a memory. Our leaves are vacuumed up at the curb by the township…it’s just not the same.
Ugh!
Omg, look at those earrings!
Really? That’s what you notice!?!
Laughing…
If I was in my grave this scent and the sound of leaves swirling would be the time I come back ❤
I was taught that only few people can bring back a smell at will from memory. This is beautiful David.
OK. I feel better now.
Have a beautiful Saturday 🙂
Reblogged this on Bright, shiny objects! and commented:
David Kanigan never ceases to amaze me…
Thank you Todd
Wow, for some reason I didn’t see this post until now, but I love it. And I can smell the leaves! Olfactory memories are purportedly the strongest…this certainly bears that out.
Yes, sure does Lori.