John Sloan, Sun and Wind on the Roof
The Drying of Sheets in the Wind
When the world seems in a mess and you wax sanctimonious,
railing at the ills of those who make it less harmonious,
remember that life’s curses are only temporary.
When world events eat at your mind and the world feels scary,
remember bed sheets on the line, drying in the sun—
the sound of flapping in the wind as their drying was done.
The smell of bright clean sunlight on each wind-softened fold,
or the cracking of their ice crystals stiffening in the cold.
Remember their warmth around you, fresh from mother’s mangle?
Snapping them out in the air, her bracelets’s harmonious jangle?
Her even movements folding them, then spreading them once more
for you to slip into your bed as she stood at the door,
storybook in hand for that nightly big procession
through story after story, read in that grand progression
of venturings into a world that seemed so vast and magic,
long before you knew the world to also be so tragic.
Let memories of your mother still be a comfort to you—
with memories of fresh white sheets. And let them both renew you.
For dVerse Poets, an Ekphrastic poem.To read more poems written for this prompt, go HERE.
Your rhymes are of the very highest order. And, I associate peace also with very early memories of my mother folding sheets 🥰
LikeLike
Thanks, Ana.
LikeLike
A beautiful poem
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lovely, soothing words and memories. I’m glad the image inspired you.
Thank you so much for sharing!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wonderful write Judy! 🙂✌🏼
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks, Rob.
LikeLike
Wonderful. I remember those sheets. I still love snuggling in claen sheets.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me, too. Luxury.
LikeLike
A rhyming poem and a good one! Really enjoyed this…JIM
LikeLiked by 1 person
Vivid and poignant.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mother and windblown sheets! What could be better to lift our spirits. Nicely done Judy!
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a terrific poem that fit the art beautifully.
LikeLike
Thanks, Lauren. I identified with that painting immediately.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Only the memories are warm these days…memories you are right to bring to the fore…..yet seem to fade..
LikeLike
A wonderful rallying call, Judy!
LikeLike