The Scent of a Good Cigar

What is it comes through the deepening dusk,—
Something sweeter than jasmine scent,
Sweeter than rose and violet blent,
More potent in power than orange or musk?
The scent of a good cigar.

I am all alone in my quiet room,
And the windows are open wide and free
To let in the south wind's kiss for me,

While I rock in the softly gathering gloom,
And that subtle fragrance steals.

Just as a loving, tender hand
Will sometimes steal in yours,
It softly comes through the open doors,

And memory wakes at its command,—
The scent of that good cigar.

And what does it say?
Ah! that's for me
And my heart alone to know;
But that heart thrills with a sudden glow.
Tears fill my eyes till I cannot see,—

From the scent of that good cigar.

— Kate A. Carrington