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Sunshine

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-25

Posts 63354
Listening to every heart

0 posted 2011-03-10 09:23 PM

Clothes Lines

I needed a clothes line today
with the sun entering spring’s solstice
and the Kansas wind gentle

today would have been a good day to
stretch, bend, reach, flap, clip
and then do it again.

I would start with whites, when the
water was hot, and the bleach could work
its magic.

Then the medium colors, from a cooler
watered wash, but still any and all of it
needs the stretch, bend, reach, flap, clipping
at certain points as to reduce
any disclosure of old time’s sake.

Now the darks…and as I stretch, bend,
reach, and flap the hard iron of jeans, I
ponder on our kids today, who buy pre-
manufactured stone washed jeans with holes…
and then clip them to the line

and I wonder if they ever knew for a moment
how the holes got there
in their grandpa’s jeans
to begin with.

The wind tussles my gray hair.
It feels good again to make the stretch
if even in my mind.

If 2012 is good
we’ll discuss clothes lines in winter
in another poem,
someday.

~*~

© KRJ 3-10-11

[This message has been edited by Sunshine (03-10-2011 10:00 PM).]

JerryPat2
Member Laureate

since 2011-02-06

Posts 16975
South Louisiana

1 posted 2011-03-10 10:06 PM

Nothing smells quite as clean as sheets let dry on a clothes line. I can still get a whiff of that smell even now. You brought back some delightful memories.

~ After twelve years of therapy my psychiatrist said something that brought tears to my eyes. He said, "No hablo ingles." ~

Balladeer

Administrator

Member Empyrean

since 1999-06-05

Posts 25505
Ft. Lauderdale, Fl USA

2 posted 2011-03-10 10:40 PM

Well, if the economy doesn't turn around, clothes lines may make a comeback!

Sunshine, I can picture you, standing in the back yard, Kansas wind whipping through your hair, skirt swirling around your legs as you stretch to pin the sheet on the lines before a fresh gust can rip it from your hands....it's a very nice image

steavenr
Member Elite

since 2003-11-17

Posts 4058

3 posted 2011-03-11 10:27 PM

"stretch, bend, reach, flap, clipping" ...this is like a tutorial (I could almost do it myself if I followed your directions and I could still stretch, bend, reach or flap) ...might have the clipping down, though

nice, vivid imagery...loved it

OwlSA
Member Rara Avis

since 2005-11-07

Posts 9347
Durban, South Africa

4 posted 2011-03-12 02:43 AM

I loved this, Karilea. I don't have a tumbledryer so have a washing line - and so does my neighbour - and that family is family and has lots of beautiful, colourful, dancing washing.

Owl

Margherita
Member Seraphic

since 2003-02-08

Posts 22236
Eternity

5 posted 2011-03-12 10:22 AM

Good thoughts beautifully expressed around Clothes Lines, dear Karilea.

Now things don't dry outsides yet, but as soon as the sun will be warm enough, I will use its drying power, because I love the unique fresh fragrance it blesses the laundry with.

The pre-made holes in jeans are beyond my comprehension too ...

Love,
Margherita

secondhanddreampoet
Member Ascendant

since 2006-11-07

Posts 6394
a 'Universalist' !

6 posted 2011-03-12 07:17 PM

VERY well written !

latearrival
Member Ascendant

since 2003-03-21

Posts 5499
Florida

7 posted 2011-03-12 11:55 PM

Can't wait for the cloes line in winter!I had a lot of that too. something about clothes hanging on the line that spells family. jo

twistedpup
Member

since 2011-02-25

Posts 115

8 posted 2011-03-13 07:30 PM

wow i can feel the breeze and warmth of the sun. thank you for the trip to another place even for a moment.

*hugs*

Earth Angel
Member Empyrean

since 2002-08-27

Posts 40215
Realms of Light

9 posted 2011-03-13 09:40 PM

Ah, yes! I used to help both my Mom and my grandmother with the laundry. My favourite part was taking the clothes down from the clothes line. I'd bury my face in the freshness. I truly enjoyed this piece of nostalgia.

Love 'n hugs,
Linda

icebox
Member Elite

since 2003-05-03

Posts 4383
in the shadows

10 posted 2011-03-13 09:48 PM

Wonderful!

I have not seen clothes hanging outside in years and often have wondered why.

Word Weaver
Member

since 2011-03-06

Posts 437
California, USA

11 posted 2011-03-14 09:11 PM

So well written I can smell my mother's line-dried bed sheets. Loud applause!

Anoo
Member

since 2011-01-23

Posts 55
UK

12 posted 2011-03-15 01:36 PM

Oh, this so good takes me back in time. I am waiting impatiently for the the English weather to change into this summery days.
I can smell summer in your poem.

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