rose water

I bought rose water today
Got off the bus a stop early went to the Iranian shop. Looked around a bit, dried lemons, spices, halvah, but I was there for rose water.
I used it first after the man (people tell me he was a doctor in Lebanon) at the Mediterranean deli told me “our women use it on their skin”. I wanted to belong somewhere. Be someone’s woman
Tonight I will wipe my face and neck and between my legs with that lovely scented liquid. For a time that scent will stay with me, the scent of a July evening, Perhaps later, long after the scent has left me, another will smell it.
He will know I belong somewhere; I am someone’s woman.