This is the last of three posts from the Palm Poets Series published by Black Moss Press. Time for another treasure hunting trip to my favourite book store in Parry Sound, Bearly Used Books. Fingers crossed there will be another one or two from the Series on the poetry shelf.
Post III of III:
Random poem shared here without judgment or censorship, at page 44, is Winter Washing-Line from Roger Nash.
I’d love to hear what you think, your reactions, what feelings or memories the piece evokes:
WINTER WASHING-LINE
On wash-day mornings in winter,
after hearing the hubbub of world-news,
we hang out clothes on the line
to freeze-dry at 30 below.
Jeans immediately stand stiffly
to attention, all board-hard
blue backbone, though slightly frayed.
Shirts form disciplined barriers
of sanforized, striped and swaying shields.
Ready for riots of winds.
Socks cock pre-shrunk grey
pistols. And panties peg out
systems of rigidly regimented geometry,
one triangle for each equilateral
day of the week. How else
to keep order in a noncompliant world?
Publisher: Black Moss Press
ISBN: 978-0-88753-567-3
Part I of III: The Red Dress by Mary Ann Mulhern
Part II of III: The Red Madonna by Dianne Joyce
6 comments
17 November 2017 at 3:06 am
Lucid Gypsy
I like ‘everyday’ poetry, it’s totally unpretentious. Does washing actually freeze dry? Living where snow is rare, I can’t imagine it 🙂
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20 November 2017 at 11:22 am
Cheryl
Oh yes it does, Gilly. -14 Celsius here last week; only -3 this morning. Wet clothing definitely freezes.
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16 November 2017 at 1:10 pm
bicycleally
I’m smiling while reading this! It brings back memories of bringing frozen clothing in from the line and bending it over chairs to thaw. Also, being a big fan of clothes lines, I get it!
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16 November 2017 at 2:16 pm
Cheryl
Memories here too, Allison. We used to ‘stand’ the frozen items up, by leaning them against the wall behind the coal stove!
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16 November 2017 at 10:47 am
Off The Shelf :: Palm Poets Series (I) | Cheryl Andrews
[…] Part III: Zigzags by Roger Nash […]
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16 November 2017 at 10:43 am
Off The Shelf :: Palm Poets Series (II) | Cheryl Andrews
[…] Part III of III: Zigzags by Roger Nash […]
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