JUST ME :: and a stack of blank pages

:: Living creatively ::

About me

This is the real secret of life — to be completely engaged with what you are doing in the here and now. And instead of calling it work, realise it is play. The only thing that is ultimately real about your journey is the step that you are taking at this moment. That’s all there ever is. I’m here to tell you that the path to peace is right there, when you want to get away. When you are present, you can allow the mind to be as it is without getting entangled in it. If you miss the present moment, you miss your appointment with life. That is very serious!

Monday, July 30, 2012

The clothesline said so much...

W&N watercolour on Amedeo 200gsm – 

A clothesline was a news forecast 
To neighbours passing by. 
There were no secrets you could keep 
When clothes were hung to dry. 
† 
It also was a friendly link 
For neighbours always knew 
If company had stopped on by 
To spend a night or two. 
† 
For then you’d see the fancy sheets 
And towels on the line; 
You’d see the company table clothes 
With intricate design. 
† 
The line announced a baby’s birth 
To 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 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 grey, 
As neighbours 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 neighbours knew each other best 
By what hung on the line! 
† 
- Author unknown

::

10 comments:

  1. Loved the poem and how it shows our ever fast changing world. How wonderful too that you made an ordinary washing line look so exciting in your painting. Just lovely.

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    1. Aaah, THANK YOU Laura! Yes, this is an ever-changing world, mostly for the better I would say, but sometimes the simple pleasure of hanging out washing can be so inspirational!

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  2. Hello Maree:)What a lovely poem! The wash has no secrets:) I love your painting! Beautiful style!

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    1. I agree, it is lovely Renate! Thank you for your lovely words, appreciate that!

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  3. Love the poem and painting combo!

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  4. I love the poem and painting and together are fantastic!

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    1. Wow, thanks a lot Susan, glad you like it! I added your blog to my Google Reader, will take some time to squizz through it!

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  5. Great poem and sketch - my sister who lives in the USA always gets so nostalgic about my washing line when she visits! (sorry I'm so scarce commenting these days, but always follow with interest!)

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    1. Ah Cathy! How nice to see you here! But don't feel guilty, I'm the same, always enjoy your sketching around Jo'burg posts! Yea, tumble dryers have certainly taken the romance out of washday, but at the same time it's cut down on a lot of ironing! lol!

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