We sure do love these cute clothesline poems which sparks nostalgia and makes one appreciate the abundance of fresh air and the wonderful memories around the clothesline hiding behind crisp organic sheets hanging on the line. Great poems to adorn and inspire your laundry room!
A Clothesline Poem
by Marilyn K. Walker
A clothesline was a news forecast, to neighbors passing by.
There were no secrets you could keep, when clothes were hung to dry.
It also was a friendly link, for neighbors always knew,
If company had stopped on by, to spend a night or two.
For then you'd see the fancy sheets and towels upon the line;
You'd see the company tablecloths, with intricate design.
The line announced a baby's birth, to folks who lived inside,
As brand new infant clothes, were hung so carefully with pride.
The ages of the children, could so readily be known
By watching how the sizes changed, you'd know how much they'd grown.
It also told when illness struck, as extra sheets were hung;
Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe too, haphazardly were strung.
It also said "Gone on vacation now", when lines hung limp and bare.
It told "We're back!" when full lines sagged, with not an inch to spare.
New folks in town were scorned upon, if washing was dingy grey,
As neighbors carefully raised their brows, and looked disgustedly away.
But clotheslines now are of the past, for dryers make work much less,
Now what goes on inside a home, is anybody's guess.
I really miss that way of life; it was a friendly sign,
When neighbors knew each other best, by what was hanging on the line.
And another Excellent poem with the same title:
A Clothesline Poem
by Sylvia Spencer
There is a workhorse that serves us well.
Its been around since time can tell.
It has a post at each end, to give support
with a stick in the middle, so it doesn't distort.
It has lots of friends that come out of a bag.
Which helps to hold up, all kinds of rag.
It gets very heavy when it starts to rain.
This is the time it feel's the strain,
with the weight of the water, upon it's back.
It sure feels heavy, and is ready to crack.
Then the sun comes out just in time
To save the life of the poor clothes line.
Sometimes the line does give way,
so don't put your washing out, when there's
rain on the way.
The Sun
by Mary Oliver
Have you ever seen
anything
in your life
more wonderful
than the way the sun,
every evening,
relaxed and easy,
floats toward the horizon
and into the clouds or the hills,
or the rumpled sea,
and is gone--
and how it slides again
out of the blackness,
every morning,
on the other side of the world,
like a red flower
streaming upward on its heavenly oils,
say, on a morning in early summer,
at its perfect imperial distance--
and have you ever felt for anything
such wild love--
do you think there is anywhere, in any language,
a word billowing enough
for the pleasure
that fills you,
as the sun
reaches out,
as it warms you
as you stand there,
empty-handed--
or have you too
turned from this world--
or have you too
gone crazy
for power,
for things?
What sacred memories come to mind for you? How has the clothesline touched your family's life? We'd love to hear your tales from the clothesline...Now where's that bag 'o' clothespins! Cheers