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A
flower's
fragrance
declares
to
all
the
world
that
it
is
fertile,
available,
and
desirable,
its
sex
organs
oozing
with
nectar.
Its
smell
reminds
us
in
vestigial
ways
of
fertility,
vigor,
life-force,
all
the
optimism,
expectancy,
and
passionate
bloom
of
youth.
We
inhale
its
ardent
aroma
and,
no
matter
what
our
ages,
we
feel
young
and
nubile
in
a
world
aflame
with
desire.
from
Diane
Ackerman
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