The Line is Empty.
The clothesline
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 on the line
You’d see the company table clothes
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 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 wash was dingy gray,
As neighbors raised their brows,
And looked disgustedly away.
But clotheslines now are of the past
For dryers make work 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 hung on the line!
~ Author Unknown ~
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It is a really sad thing to go past a clothesline with clothes hung over at the middle with no clothespins…….and to see them day after day being ignored.
One of my favorite “home” poems
I’ve never lived in a clothesline community, but I really enjoyed that poem.
Thank you for sharing it.
Great poem. I loved hanging clothing out for the first time this last summer. Can’t wait for the rain to stop and the hanging of clothing to being once again!
I am looking for some idea and stumble upon your posting :) decide to wish you Thanks. Eugene
Katie, your header at the top is beautiful!
As is the poem.
Guess what!?!?! We are headed to MO tomorrow morning!!!!!!!!!!!
Yippee!!!
Love,
Chas
Are you going to visit US???? -Katie
That was a sweet poem!
I just read an article recently that many home-owners associations are making rules against clotheslines. How sad. :-(
Not only are they earth friendly, and energy efficient/cost saving, but like your poem says…I think they bring a touch of ‘homeiness’ (sp?) and realism to a community.
(and I love the photos of your line, too!)