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Waiting To Inhale

by The Walrus 

Posted: 23 June 2004
Word Count: 81
Summary: More of a ditty than a poem.


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My clothes are hanging, wistfully,
upon my washing line,
they are not forgotten
but they are out there
confronting the lashing rain -
little hope of them drying this evening.

And they make a pretty picture –
the greens, the purples, the reds,
the lacey black knickers.

And so they will hang
until the sun shines
because I am loathe
to put them in the tumble dryer
because then,
they will fail to inhale
the sweet fragrance
of midsummer barley fields.






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Comments by other Members



Fearless at 21:32 on 23 June 2004  Report this post
Red

Clothes that by themselves form a vivid tapestry of colour and texture, and with the beating, pulsating flow of aqua, spring to life, and with a breeze, spring into dance. Of course, what is living unless we take the chance to inhale what life has to offer?

Fearless
x

roovacrag at 22:04 on 23 June 2004  Report this post
Red I liked this,could picture them blowing in the wind.
Then the rain comes down and we fetch them in again.
xx Stan

joanie at 22:58 on 23 June 2004  Report this post
Walrus, I know exactly what you mean! There is nothing like the scent of washing dried outside! Mmmm... lovely. I often drink its scent when I bring it in.
joanie

olebut at 07:51 on 24 June 2004  Report this post
Walrus

what a great image and such an every day subject brought poetically to life how many people love the perfume of freshly dried washing, tehre is something wholesome and reassuring about it isn't there ?

a simple but very effective piece [ Lacey black knickers dear oh dear what image are you trying to portray to us poor men :) ]

take care

david

The Walrus at 10:01 on 24 June 2004  Report this post
Thanks guys,

Fearless, you're right - I like that: 'the chance to inhale what life has to offer'!

Stan, they stayed out there for two days - got drenched several times but eventually were brought in smelling sweet!

Joanie - yup I do that too!

David, yup I thought I'd have a departure from the metaphysical stuff - glad you liked it - err - apologies for the lacey black knickers - however given the gale forces winds on the first night they were out - my neighbours have now acquired a few pairs!

Thanks again,

The Walrus

word`s worth at 11:12 on 25 June 2004  Report this post
Christina,

One of the best things for me about spring/summer is that I can hang the washing out. I don't have a tumble dryer so the rest of the year, my washing is draped over radiators and anything else that lies motionless for more than two hours (husband - when he's home). Apart from the fresh smell of the clothes, the fact that I'm able to hang my washing outdoors signifies that the sun is shining (a rare sight up North!) :D

Nicely written!

Nahed x

miffle at 13:35 on 25 June 2004  Report this post
Walrus, 'midsummer barley fields': who wouldn't want to be there ;-)
Captures the colour, the rustle, the gentleness of summer... i.e. I feel the breeze in this, not the baring down heat... Like the contrast between the idea of the 'pretty picture' and the 'black lacey knickers': one sounding innocent, blithe, bonny the other more sophisticated ;-) I do like to see washing flapping on the line (simple pleasure!): pants, t-shirts, trousers... they take on a new life! A domestic scene lovingly painted. All the best, Miffle

The Walrus at 15:35 on 28 June 2004  Report this post
Nahed and Miffle belated thanks for your comments, enjoyed reading them.

The Walrus

kcirts at 02:36 on 02 November 2004  Report this post
Walrus,

I don't know you, but I read your work, and I like you.

kcirts

kcirts at 02:36 on 02 November 2004  Report this post
Walrus,

I don't know you, but I read your work, and I like you.

kcirts

The Walrus at 21:26 on 03 November 2004  Report this post
Thank you Frank.

The Walrus


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