The master sits in his workshop and stares at his workbench. He is surrounded by the finest woods and his tools. The air is filled with the scent of shavings and the work of all the years. He has created great things here, sculptures as tall as a man and figures as small as his thumb. Throughout the realm, he is known for his works. When he sees a piece of wood, he recognizes the inner form of the figure hidden within and only needs to uncover it. This has always been the case, a gift since his childhood. However, he has not started a new work in months. Better said, he has started one, but he will not finish it…
It was months ago when he placed a cedar block on his workbench and contemplated it. He saw the form before him, as he always had. So he took his steel and made the first cut. But then the miracle or the curse happened, depending on your perspective. Sweet resin dripped from the cut and filled the workshop with its scent. He had never smelled anything like it before. So captivated was he by the spicy aroma that he only later realized that he could no longer recognize the shapes in the woods. He had lost his gift. The wound in the cedar block, however, never closed; the resin remained forever fresh.
So the master sits before his workbench, gazing at the cedar block and breathing in the spicy air. He has enjoyed the fruits of his gift for many years and created great things. Now he can only take pleasure in the scent. He sighs lightly, takes his needles in hand, and knits the next sock…
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With Opoponax, Santa Maria Novella has created a brilliantly simple fragrance. Many warm woods, with cedar bringing a fresh, lemony note. Then add Opoponax, balsamic, spicy, sweet (but not too sweet), and it's done. Perfectly simple - simply perfect? Not quite, as the longevity is rather modest for me, lasting 3-4 hours on skin, 4 to 5 hours on fabric, so unfortunately far from an unending source. Still, a great scent.
How nice to gain a new connection to the material at the end of the creative process. Everything is changing. It's good to be open to change. I can imagine the scent well. Thank you!
You said - he's 'knitting' the next sock ;p ... you describe the scent so beautifully, in such a nice, slightly melancholic story, that you just want to enjoy it right away... the brand SMN is becoming more and more likable to me too...
The scent is also on my list to test. Honestly, 3-4 hours is enough for me these days. I just had the opposite experience: Overture Woman didn't fade for almost three days and smells terrible to me.
A story that life couldn't write any more beautifully. Whenever a door closes, another one opens somewhere. Just like the scent would surely open a door for me, despite its mediocre longevity. I read your lines with great enthusiasm!
Nice comment that really captures the scent. I'm all in for woods and resin; that sounds great. After 3 to 4 hours, you can always reapply. I’d love to get to know the smell of opoponax soon, just like the master did, even if he had to pay a high price...
Dream comment with a beautiful title! I gladly accept your platonic thanks. I think I need to reconsider my assessment; I found it really great, but it was a bit too masculine for me..?? It lasted quite a long time on me. Thank you anyway for the wonderful, slightly melancholic reading material..:-))
I feel sorry for the master... does the scent really comfort him over his lost gift?
But the socks are pretty nice too :-D
I guess I should look into the brand.
I can imagine the scent well. Thank you!
This brand is at the top of my wishlist.
But the socks are pretty nice too :-D
I guess I should look into the brand.