Once upon a time there were some friends
of an interesting girl. Each of them
although they did not mention it
loved the girl's perfume, which was strong and sweet.
She wore it for so long it became a
part of her identity.
One birthday the friends gathered to wish her
love, but she did not arrive. They looked all over
town and called the police but there was no sign.
The friends went their separate ways, like most young people,
but for the rest of their lives in other towns
they would catch her old perfume on the air
or on sofa cushions.
They would stop and look around and sometimes
see her, but usually see only a stranger
then remember some happy moment from so long ago.