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. 

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It also was a friendly link 

For neighbours always knew 

If company had stopped on by 

To spend a night or two. 

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For then you’d see the fancy sheets 

And towels on the line; 

You’d see the company table clothes 

With intricate design. 

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The line announced a baby’s birth 

To folks who lived inside 

As brand new infant clothes were hung 

So carefully with pride. 

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The ages of the children 

could so readily be known 

By watching how the sizes changed 

You’d know how much they’d grown. 

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It also told when illness struck, 

As extra sheets were hung; 

Then nightclothes, and a bathrobe, too, 

Haphazardly were strung. 

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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. 

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New folks in town were scorned upon 

If wash was dingy grey, 

As neighbours raised their brows, 

And looked disgustedly away. 

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But clotheslines now are of the past 

For dryers make work less. 

Now what goes on inside a home 

Is anybody’s guess. 

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I really miss that way of life. 

It was a friendly sign 

When neighbours knew each other best 

By what hung on the line! 

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- Author unknown

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