a sunwashed dress
remembered
a tall sky lacking shapes
against flat blue
there is a line of strength ----- pulled taut
from pole to pole, not phone
or power
a clothes line, an umbilical cord, a life path set
all to straight
a line
touched and tendered
as a mother tenders her young
stepping back, stepping
forth eye follows
moves and motion
follows wet and warmth
sunwashed strength straight, strong
empowering the sun
lifting the breeze,
cursing rain
laughing in the face of fate
bkmackenzie
copyright (2017)
Photo by Steve Salt
Posted for Poets United
That clothesline stands for a lot. I remember my grandma getting the wash out on the line. The Ladies used to vie, to see whose wash was out earliest. I also used a clothesline for many years.
ReplyDeleteClothesline conjures nostalgic memories for me. I love your words!
ReplyDelete"there is a line of strength ----- pulled taunt"
ReplyDeleteLove this!
Back in the day, I put clotheslines in my solo performance. Those lines aired things while they dried. And hanging clothes as a child, I spent time both with nature and with my own thoughts. I have written an ode or two to them as well--them and the doorways we always see women waiting in. Love your poem.
I still use clothesline...a happy sun, the detergent scent and the power behind the hard work does a world of good...love the mother tendering stanza...
ReplyDeleteI use a clothline too (in a drying area so no worries with the rain). My neighboors know me as the man that always does his wash on Monday morning! Beautiful poem bkm.
ReplyDeleteApt metaphor – and what a lovely, triumphant ending!
ReplyDeleteWhat a powerful analogy. So well done!
ReplyDeleteWell worded. We all benefit from a the fresh air of light.
ReplyDeleteThis is beautifully done, quite a masterpiece. I just love it.
ReplyDeleteKind regards
Anna :o]
A line drawn around many good things...hard work....I would like to hang my clothes out side, but time is short, so I push buttons instead. My neighbor still hangs her clothes out, there are only two of them, I wonder...is she taking in laundary, hardly a day passes that there are not clothes on the line. I like to see her there....
ReplyDeleteAppreciaate you blogging this
ReplyDelete