Birch Tar ~ Betula Pendula Rectified

Rectification does nothing to dampen this loud and boisterous scent. It is oakwood ashes in a still-warm campfire, dry and brittle chaps hanging forgotten on a peg in the tack room, chilled early morning poking the coals in the potbelly stove back to flame. It is the grit of ashes on the floor before the fireplace, soot, and creosote, the vapor of warm breath on the air, and cold, cold hands.