The Clothes Line

The laundry on the line is dancing in time
to a wind whipped tune in early June
it tosses and turns, it whooshes and whirls
around and around in a yard before noon. 

As clothes gayly flow, with pink socks in tow 
the magic of the cool breeze surrounds
while bold colored shirts flirt with frilly skirts
the gossip from lace nighties abounds. 

Sweet dresses sway and swiftly sashay
‘round blue jeans and tee shirts alike 
they flip and they flap, they jitter and snap
as the wind crescendos and spikes. 

Sheets fill up and fluff in billowing puffs
‘til the breeze takes a break and rests
“hands” then appear to put an end to the cheer
and the clothes slump and know they must rest. 

In all of my days, of this simple display
I had never imagined or thought 
that a view from afar, a clothes line in a yard
could bring pleasure that cannot be bought. 









5/5/2022
Copyright © | Year Posted 2022

Poem

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Watt Avatar
May 29, 2022 at 11:09 PM
Coming back to enjoy this gem again, and to offer congrats for landing in the top 10 of best New poems. Enjoy your week, my friend!
Leiser Avatar
May 30, 2022 at 2:05 PM
Thanks for letting me know this, John! I didn’t know it was top ten on the new poem list! I’m happy about that! You are always so encouraging! Thank you! :)
Johnson-Saunders Avatar
May 26, 2022 at 7:14 AM
I love that you found beauty and joy in something as simple as a clothes line, Laura. Your poem brings back sweet memories for me of my grandma hanging clothes in her yard. I hope you are well...Rhonda xx
Leiser Avatar
May 26, 2022 at 8:17 AM
Thank you for your generous comments, Rhonda! So good to hear from you again after such a long time! Will check out your latest poems! :)
Meadows Avatar
May 19, 2022 at 2:28 AM
This is a lovely poem. Well done.
Leiser Avatar
May 19, 2022 at 7:45 AM
Thank you, Jeanette! So glad you enjoyed this! :)
Peck Avatar
May 17, 2022 at 8:01 AM
I totally agree with your last stanza. And, at one time, nothing smelled as fresh as sheets dried on a line. I love your poem. It's jaunty and nostalgic all at once.
Rodrigues Avatar
May 11, 2022 at 2:36 PM
Love this! The imagery, reminders of days gone by, the fresh scent or air blown clothing! Fave!
Leiser Avatar
May 12, 2022 at 7:46 AM
Thank you, Kim! I’m honored that you faced this one! I enjoyed penning it! :)
Calasibetta Avatar
May 9, 2022 at 8:49 AM
Wonderful imagery, a delight to read! Congratulations on your win in the contest. :)Paulette
Leiser Avatar
May 9, 2022 at 9:26 AM
Thank you, Paulette. So happy you liked this one! :)
Agustin Avatar
May 9, 2022 at 5:55 AM
Thanks for sharing this... so wisdom-filled. Thanks likewise for your uplifting comments. God bless you.
Leiser Avatar
May 9, 2022 at 9:26 AM
Thank you, Beata! God bless you! :)
Barry-Nishanian Avatar
May 8, 2022 at 8:13 AM
What a way to come out of a dry spell. Was fun to read. Congrats!
Leiser Avatar
May 8, 2022 at 3:00 PM
Thank you, Barbara! I’m glad you enjoyed this! :)
Gauthier Avatar
May 7, 2022 at 4:44 PM
Yes indeed your poem does bring pleasure. Beautiful rhythm and flow ~ totally charming.
Leiser Avatar
May 7, 2022 at 7:39 PM
Thank you, Line! I’m very happy you enjoyed this one! :)
Brul Avatar
May 7, 2022 at 3:54 PM
I love the alliteration sway and swiftly sashay! Very creative! congratulations...All d best! ^JCB
Leiser Avatar
May 7, 2022 at 7:38 PM
Thanks, JCB! Very glad you enjoyed it! :)
Chamberlain Avatar
May 7, 2022 at 12:18 PM
I'm easily pleased, I love it when o can dry my washing on the line, nothing beats the smell of fresh linen. I enjoyed the rhythm and rhymes. Congratulations on your winning placement.
Leiser Avatar
May 7, 2022 at 12:59 PM
Thank you for stopping by and commenting, Joanna. I’ll so glad you enjoyed this! It was fun to write it! :)
Kendrick Avatar
May 7, 2022 at 8:46 AM
Ahh!! We don't see it much anymore those full clotheslines, but it was nice to see them on washday. I enjoyed reading your winner. Way to go for Brian's contest. Congrats. Sara
Leiser Avatar
May 7, 2022 at 9:56 AM
Thank you, Sara. I’m glad you enjoyed this! :)
Kyser Avatar
May 7, 2022 at 8:11 AM
nice to see things otherwise missed! enjoyed this greatly
Leiser Avatar
May 7, 2022 at 9:57 AM
Thank you, Jeff. So happy you liked this one! :)
Watt Avatar
May 5, 2022 at 2:15 PM
So happy to see another LL original posted today - this one so whimsical and vivacious! Love how you personify the different clothes with flirtatious shirts and skirts and gossiping nighties as the wind whips the laundry into a dancing mood. Also enjoyed your internal rhymes and alliterations, and the toe-tapping cadence. Favorite line: Sweet dresses sway and swiftly sashay. Hugs ~ John
Leiser Avatar
May 5, 2022 at 2:26 PM
Thank you, John. I’m so happy that you enjoyed this one! I wanted write a light hearted poem for a change. I’m trying to get out of a dry writing spell! :)
Leffanta Avatar
May 5, 2022 at 11:35 AM
Yes, they love the warmth of sunshine! Aloha!
Leiser Avatar
May 5, 2022 at 12:06 PM
I love to watch them “dance” in the sunshine! :)
De Beaulieu Avatar
May 5, 2022 at 10:37 AM
Hello Laura Leiser, yes the clothes do a dance when the wind blows. Hugs.
De Beaulieu Avatar
May 6, 2022 at 10:54 AM
Hello Laura, yes they really do. Hugs.
Leiser Avatar
May 5, 2022 at 12:06 PM
They really do! Thanks for stopping by and commenting, Darlene! :)
Get a Premium Membership
Turn off ads, get more exposure for your poetry, and get more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Diverse Voices: The Poetry of Human Rights and the Pursuit of Peace