Gershon Wolf Poet Free verse

No Dryer Yet

Yes, we had a washer, but no dryer yet
So we hung our clothes out on the line to dry
with those old wooden clothes pins, you know  
and after dinner we retired to the balcony
to sit and sip tea, often with neighbors

who dropped by to catch up on the local gossip...
Those nights seemed to go on and on, at least 
until my bedtime, 9:30 p.m. -- so unfair! -- at
which point the 'adult talk' commenced, an
occasional burst of laughter punctuating the air...

Seems nobody's got time for each other on 
our old block these days -- the balconies sure are 
empty at night -- or else perhaps folks just got
so busy with their new-fangled dryers, flat-screen
TVs, smartphones and whatnot

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M. L. Kiser February 13, 2020 at 1:56 PM Wow, clotheslines...some idiot here decided they should be made illegal a few years back. I our family, we'd sit out back and drink iced tea. Gershon Wolf February 13, 2020 at 9:15 PM Clotheslines illegal; gambling, hard-core porn, and recreational marijuana all legal. Sounds logical, I guess. Hmmm. Sam the Skeptic

Ronald D Thompson February 12, 2020 at 3:26 PM So true Gershon, life these days moves at such a fast pace nobody has time to enjoy the company of others. There's no community spirit anymore. A great write, you painted a wonderful picture. Best...Ron Gershon Wolf February 12, 2020 at 6:54 PM That's it, Ron; you've nailed the problem -- no community spirit, and (I'd add) no spirit of community! At least there's Poetry Soup, where we communicate great! Smiles, Gershon

Carolyn Devonshire February 12, 2020 at 2:07 PM Like you, I remember the days when my mother hung clothes outside to dry. She refused to use a dryer and said clothes smelled better after drying outdoors. Funny how the technology revolution has left some of us, including me, behind. Can't use a smart phone yet. Enjoyed your poem, Gershon! Gershon Wolf February 12, 2020 at 2:24 PM Ha, ha. You're ahead of me. At least you seem interested in using a smart phone... Thanks for your kind words, Carolyn. Warm wishes, Gershon

Alexis Y. February 12, 2020 at 9:16 AM Hi Gershon, Those days are long gone. These days neighbors won’t even greet you. Good write. Well done:-) Alexis Gershon Wolf February 12, 2020 at 9:42 AM I guess that today one should be grateful if his neighbors aren't mugging him! Thanks, Alexis! :) Gershon

Jenish Somadas February 11, 2020 at 11:27 PM You will not get the same water you saw in a river a minute before.. Life is flowing.. New entertainments coming.. nostalgic over the old.. Good write.. Gershon Wolf February 12, 2020 at 9:41 AM You're correct, but why cast away nice, generations-old traditions in the name of a questionable modernity? ~ Gershon

P.S. Awtry February 11, 2020 at 10:44 PM The smell of sheets dried on the line is one of life’s small gifts. Thank you for the reminder :) Gershon Wolf February 12, 2020 at 9:39 AM Nothing like the fresh smell of clothes off the line, esp. on a warm, sunny day! Sunshine and lollipops, Gershon

Jean Bush February 11, 2020 at 8:17 PM I grew up in an apartment building so no porches there. However, we did socialize with our neighbors as her kid & I played out front and playing cops & criminals in the large area out back. Jean Bush February 20, 2020 at 1:48 PM Dang you, Gershon! I couldn't think of the word robbers. Getting too dam old. Thanks for reminding me. Gershon Wolf February 11, 2020 at 8:47 PM Cops and criminals? Not cops and robbers?... At least you weren't playing 'Off the honky pig!' Ha, ha. Just kidding. Jean, can't thank you enough for all of your support and your great comments. Deeply appreciated. Thanks, gw

Eve Roper February 11, 2020 at 7:57 PM Reminded me of my growing youth when the adults mingled drinking their favorite drinks as we try to sleep. Nice scene, Gershon, you brought memories. Now I feel everyone are to busy with their own lives to socialize.. I don't know, I do have a few police officers that live behind me on the other block and they love to get loud. especially when the football games are going on. Gershon Wolf February 11, 2020 at 8:50 PM Yeah, you're right, Eve! Police officers, firefighters still get together, although not for tea, as you've noted. Thanks for the in-depth comment! ~ Here's to tea! :) Gershon

Ilene Bauer February 11, 2020 at 6:37 PM i still use those old wooden clothes pins on the clothes line in our country place, gershon! i love this poem - it brings back those days very clearly and with all the warmth such memories evoke. people today are missing out... Gershon Wolf February 11, 2020 at 8:33 PM Well, when people today don't know what they're missing, then it's not so bad, I suppose. I think the loss of Time is the biggest loss of all. Where did it go? Thanks, Ilene. :) Gershon

Chris Green February 11, 2020 at 5:22 PM So many things in life are changing and I'm not sure for the better. Man I miss those wooden clothes pins. Gershon Wolf February 11, 2020 at 8:28 PM Hey, Chris! Look upwards one comment: Ilene Bauer is still using them! … And I've seen wooden clothes pins in some doozies of sculptures too! Keep the Faith. LOL. Thanks, Gershon