Monday, April 6, 2009

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 upon the line
You'd see the "company table cloths
"With intricate designs.
The line announced a baby's birth
From 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 wash was dingy and gray
As neighbors carefully raised their brows
And looked the other way . . .
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 hung on the line!

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hmm...sounds to me like nosey neighbors. ;-) I'd rather keep my laundry in my house and out of my neighbor's business. hehehe! :)

This reminds me of that house across from Fred Meyer's that always has panties hanging out right by the busy intersection!

Alice said...

haha...I know what house you are talking about. She even hangs her husbands briefs out there for the world to see. Dustin would NEVER go for that. LOL

B.E.Hughes said...

Too funny...saw it before and still like it.

Renea West said...

I love hanging my clothes out in the sun. It is almost a summer "thing" for me. I know your neighbors can see everything, but around here "Everyone" Knows Everyone's business anyway. Plus my power bills are cheaper too. They smell really good, umless the smell of jet fuel is blowing our way!haha!

Hazel Eye Beauty said...

Ally, I agree w/Joyce! Todd thinks clotheslines are white trash and wont let me have one. That lady by Fred Meyers needs to get a dryer, since its been nice lately, Im sure some "skivvies" will be shown!!! lol

Sally Ann said...

I remember that house that hangs the panties too! It is so funny! I like the poem, by the way.