Up On The Roof
As the last shirt was pegged to the line
her hands went to her back
and massaged the aching muscles
that had borne the weight of her labor
The wind was in full force and the sky bright
She knew the linens would dry quickly this day
Her spirits lifted briefly at the thought
of an early finish to her day’s work
but knowing by then the sun would be almost gone
She wished for the wind to carry her away
from this drudgery and servitude
Young in age but weary in spirit
These moments alone on the roof
were precious times for her to dream
of how life could perhaps be one day
Copyright © 2022 Christine Bolton - Poetry for Healing
All Rights Reserved
Merrel is hosting D'Verse Poets tonight and has prompted us to
write a 'March Wind Ekphrastic Poem' by selecting on of four
paintings about the wind that she suggested and to use it as
the prompt for our poem. I chose 'Sun and Wind on the Roof'
by John Sloan.
Enjoy Up On The Roof by The Drifters
VIDEO
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I’m glad you drew attention to the drudgery and backache of this work, which has been so many women’s lot in life for centuries!
Thank you Ingrid. ☺️💕
Very effective narrative style, described in a way to make one feel her pain and ache of drudgery, with a glimmer of hope at the end….
Thank you Ain ☺️
This so perfectly evokes what could be going on. Laundry was such a drudgery, but also, it’s these types of mindless chores that allow for daydreaming. One wonders what else she had to do that day. Thank you for your poem!
Thank you so much Merril. I apologize I mistakenly said Mish was hosting. I changed it ☺️💕
It’s hard to keep track of all the dVerse people! 😀 You’re welcome and thank you!
Thank you too. I enjoyed the prompt very much ☺️
😊
This is gorgeously rendered, Christine! I am especially moved by; “She wished for the wind to carry her away from this drudgery and servitude.”❤️❤️
Thank you Sanaa. You’re sweet ☺️💕
Love the ‘story’ in your poem … it felt so real.
Thank you Helen ☺️💕
Much power dreams form in menial labor Christine!
Yes Rob. Dreams are free.
Such a heartfelt poem Christine
Thanks you! ☺️💕 I’m happy it resonated Sadje
You’re welcome my friend