Observations placeholder
Sweaty T-shirts
Identifier
005778
Type of Spiritual Experience
Background
This poem is based on an extract from a National Geographic magazine article about LOVE.
“Dr Claus Wedekind of the University of Lausanne in Switzerland did an interesting experiment with sweaty T shirts. He asked 49 women to smell T shirts previously worn by unidentified men with a variety of genotypes that influence both body odour (BO) and immune systems. He then asked the women to rate which T shirts smelled the best. What Wedekind found was that women preferred the scent of a T shirt worn by a man whose genotype was most different to hers – a genotype that perhaps is linked to an immune system that possesses something hers doesn’t. His conclusion is that we are ‘hard wired’ biologically to increase the chances that our children are more robust by being attracted to men with the right BO!!”
A description of the experience
When I saw you I have to say, I thought it was first your face
Those deep green eyes, that lovely smile, that beard, those lips …in case
I’m wrong, remind me, …. It was a work shirt that you wore?
And not a sweaty T shirt. But I know I can’t be sure.
And then we talked, I loved your voice, the softness of your touch
You didn’t push, or make a play, or hassle me too much
Just nice, just gentle, clever too, with just a hint of fun
A hint of something else that had me thinking ‘he’s the one’
And closer still, I’m really sure, but then I could be wrong
Your After Shave it wafted by, so sensuous so strong
It spoke of forbidden pleasure, of things we both should try
But was it a sweaty T shirt that really caught my eye?
That party where we talked and danced and I held you so near
A few drinks and we were kissing, already I thought you dear
Then we made love, not long at first, because we both were new
But it felt like love, it felt as though I was really meant for you
So I am puzzled, Sweetheart dear, I love you passionately
Yet no T shirt has ever seemed, to be the draw for me
I don’t even think you have one, yet I love you like life itself
I really think your genotype must be hidden somewhere else