Out of our five senses, the most potent one to my way of thinking has to be the sense of smell. I mean for one thing, it triggers your memories, especially the good ones. For example, whenever I smell sweet corn, I conjure up the cornfields tasseling and filling the air with their pollen of the place where I grew up.

Walking just after a summer rain is a treat. The aromas on the cooler air are so enlivened and sharper. Then again, the spring is no slouch when it comes to pleasant smells. I get a high off taking on the blooming hyacinths and lilacs when passing by them. The smells always remind me of Eliot's hyacinth girl.

There are the clichéd wonderful odors like that of fresh baked bread. Writers try to steer away from these. We prefer to pick the original ones that stick with you afterward. For instance, I like how witch hazel smells, and I'd love to use it in a novel some day. Curry is another favorite aroma I enjoy smelling when entering an Indian restaurant. Good things are to follow.

So there you have my reasons of why smell is the most potent of our senses. Enjoy.

By Ed Lynskey
Twitter: @edlynskey
Author of Lake Charles
"Nice addition to anyone’s summer beach reading schedule."
Florida Times-Union