Clotheslines

I love clotheslines. I grew up watching my mom hang out our clothes until I could hang up the clothes myself. It's been on my husband's to-do list to put one up for us, but he hasn't had the time. There's just something about clothes that smell of fresh air and sunshine. My mom sent me this poem about clotheslines and I wanted to share it with you. Enjoy and smile as you read.

THE CLOTHESLINE

A clothesline was a news forecast to strangers passing by.
There were no secrets you could keep when clothes were hung to dry.

It also was a friendly link as neighbors always knew
if company had stopped on by to spend a night or two.

It's then you'd find the fancy sheets and towels on the line,
along with linen tablecloths of intricate design.

The line announced a baby's birth to folks who lived inside
when 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 without 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!

-By MARILYN K. WALKER