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Towels Hung Out to Dry
by Kristina Woodhill"Mother, I have hung the towels out on the clothesline in the sun."
"Child, I thank you, now go play, your chores for this day all are done."
Sun shone hot while breezes whispered, plumping towels with gossip told,
Towels released their heavy burdens, drying strong, yet light to fold
As the night approached, the Child saw that the towels still hung outside,
Shushed by Mother - "not to worry - off to dreams, now, - starship rides."
Bowing deeply, waltz encircling, Night attended Mother's dance
Gathering her other players from this Day's just gate-locked past.
Roiling clouds one might expect, and, yes, a mighty wailing storm,
Pushing overflowing wagons filled with tears and blood from war,
Wash bowls filled with dying patients' last requests and gasping prayers,
Buckets slopping over with the swill of prisoners' tortured stares,
Tears of anguish sloshed aloft, soon mixing with pure tears of joy
Shed at weddings filled with love, at babies' births, both girls and boys,
Water from baptismals, baths where wrists dripped crimson life
New birth or death most tragic flowed like rain throughout the Night
And Mother danced and swirled and held each precious, sacred drop
Before each soaked into the towels hung out to dry, now drooped, now sopped.
Then in the quiet early morning hours before the cock,
The Mother gathered all the towels into Her sacred washing crock
Each towel She washed with Her own hands, with warm and gentle soaps
And rinsed each with the softest waters, blessed with Future's hopes
Into the waiting laundry baskets, cleansed and fresh, the towels were piled
As Mother smiled at Sun's first wink, they spied the waking Child
"Mother, I have hung the Towels out on the clothesline in the sun
Child, I thank you, now go play, your chores for this day all are done."
06/17/2009 Posted on 06/17/2009
Copyright © 2024 Kristina Woodhill
| Member Comments on this Poem |
| Posted by Gregory O'Neill on 06/17/09 at 08:13 PM This poem has a big, big heart. This is something I'll save and re-read, read to others too. Wonderfully compassionate writing. Thanks very much. Potd & fav. Delighted. |
| Posted by David Hill on 06/18/09 at 01:16 AM This is excellent. It works on at least two levels. I like reading it somewhat literally, that is, the value of the those towels the woman and daughter provide. It is appreciation and recognition of their service. All the places touched by their work.
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| Posted by Jo Halliday on 06/18/09 at 07:06 AM Not only so compassionate as the first commenter says, but the style amazes me. This is so, so beautifully written: well chosen words, the lyricality, the message, and the simplicity, not least that it operates on many, many levels for me. Thanks a lot for giving me such a poem to read! |
| Posted by Quentin S Clingerman on 06/19/09 at 02:44 PM How wonderfully original and symbolic! For some reason it brought back what I have read and heard of the Civil War. Great poetry! Going into my favorites. |
| Posted by Rhiannon Jones on 06/20/09 at 06:14 PM Lovely, I will read this several times. |
| Posted by Glenn Currier on 06/20/09 at 11:13 PM What a profound mixture of earth, humanity, heaven, and soul you have crafted, Kristina. This magnificent poem carries me from a simple yet memorable (for me) image of towels on the line, to the sacred Essence of Mother/Child relationship. Thank you for this drop of the divine into my life this day. |
| Posted by Brian Francis on 07/09/09 at 01:56 AM Wonderful, engaging and inspiring of thoughtful reflection. Perfect selection of words and format.
I simply love it. Thanks --bf |
| Posted by Joan Serratelli on 03/01/10 at 06:07 PM BEAUTIFUL! I loved the Mother/Child conversation. A masterful write. I love it. I'm sorry I missed this one. |
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