Classic and Contemporary Poetry: Explained

"His Smell" by Sharon Olds is an intimate exploration of the sensory and emotional experiences associated with the last days of the speaker's father's life. The poem vividly captures the complexities of a final encounter, using the father's distinctive smell as a focal point for reflection. Olds blends the physical and the metaphorical, evoking a powerful meditation on mortality, memory, and the lingering presence of a loved one even after death.

The poem begins with the speaker's attempt to articulate the unique scent of her dying father. The description starts with comparisons to yeast and a "catalyst feeding in liquid," evoking a sense of transformation and chemical reaction. The reference to "sour ferment" and "intoxicant" suggests a mix of bodily processes and perhaps the father's relationship with alcohol, as the smell is associated with both biological decay and a kind of exaltation.

Olds continues with a series of rich, layered comparisons: the smell of "wet cement," "Jurassic shale," and "sour odor of the hammered copper humidor." These descriptions evoke a sense of raw, elemental earthiness, blending the industrial with the organic. The mention of "smelling-salts tang of chlorine" and the "mold from the rug in his house" adds a domestic dimension, hinting at a life lived in both public and private spheres. The "clouded pungence of the mouth and sputum of a drinking man" directly addresses the physical realities of the father's body, perhaps hinting at illness or the toll of a lifetime of habits.

The speaker notes the "socket of a man's leather shoe" and the mixture of "polish and stale socks," capturing the mundane, everyday aspects of the father's life. The consistent theme of "stain" and "the attraction of the stain" suggests a fascination with imperfection, wear, and the marks left by a life of labor and routine. The comparison of the father's smell to "oil and metal" underscores a connection to industry and manufacture, implying that his body has been shaped and marked by his life's work.

The poem takes a poignant turn when the speaker recalls the first day of this final period, observing the "compound disc of sweat" on her father's forehead. The act of bringing this sweat off on her lips symbolizes an intimate, almost sacramental moment, blending the physical with the emotional. This visceral encounter contrasts sharply with the expected final exchanges of "a word, a look, a pressure of touch."

In the aftermath of the father's death, the speaker reflects on the persistence of his smell, even as his body lies still. The "industrial domestic male smell" remains, a testament to his presence. The description of the smell as "dark, reflecting points of light" suggests complexity and depth, acknowledging both the darker aspects of his life and the moments of brilliance or insight.

The poem concludes with a powerful image of the speaker bending over the deceased father, inhaling his scent "deeply, before going into exile." This final act of breathing in her father's smell serves as a poignant farewell, capturing the essence of his being and the finality of their parting. The idea of "exile" reflects the speaker's impending separation from her father, not just physically, but emotionally and spiritually as well.

"His Smell" is a deeply moving reflection on the sensory experiences that connect us to our loved ones, particularly in their final moments. Sharon Olds masterfully uses the sense of smell as a metaphor for memory and presence, capturing the complex emotions that arise in the face of loss. The poem explores the enduring impact of a loved one's essence, the intimate details that linger, and the profound ways in which we internalize the presence of those we love, even after they are gone. Through this exploration, Olds provides a powerful meditation on the nature of memory, love, and the enduring marks left by those who have passed.

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