The Ekalaka Eagle - Your Community Builder

Hello God, it’s me, Mara:

You know, Lord, sometimes when several of us gals gather together, depending on the season, or the reason for our gathering, we usually chuckle when we share, when we ‘remember when’. Some younger gals don’t recall when or IF Grandma OR Mom hung clothes upon the line, but they thought this was a good poem to share; so here we go, a poem about ‘way back when’; author unknown, but a few of us DID remember when.

POEM:

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 who always knew if company had stopped 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 tablecloths” 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 said, “We’re back!” when full lines sagged with not an inch to spare!

New folks in town were scorned upon if the 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.

Thank You, Lord, that You are in charge of ‘time’.

Love, Mara