Blog, Hope

Up on the Roof – An Ekphrastic Poem

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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

  18 comments for “Up on the Roof – An Ekphrastic Poem”

  1. Ingrid
    March 6, 2022 at 3:57 am

    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!

    • Christine Bolton
      March 6, 2022 at 8:26 am

      Thank you Ingrid. ☺️💕

  2. Ain
    March 2, 2022 at 9:38 pm

    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….

    • Christine Bolton
      March 3, 2022 at 12:25 am

      Thank you Ain ☺️

  3. merrildsmith
    March 2, 2022 at 10:28 am

    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!

    • Christine Bolton
      March 2, 2022 at 11:24 am

      Thank you so much Merril. I apologize I mistakenly said Mish was hosting. I changed it ☺️💕

      • merrildsmith
        March 2, 2022 at 11:50 am

        It’s hard to keep track of all the dVerse people! 😀 You’re welcome and thank you!

      • Christine Bolton
        March 3, 2022 at 12:25 am

        Thank you too. I enjoyed the prompt very much ☺️

      • merrildsmith
        March 3, 2022 at 6:15 am

        😊

  4. sanaarizvi
    March 2, 2022 at 10:25 am

    This is gorgeously rendered, Christine! I am especially moved by; “She wished for the wind to carry her away from this drudgery and servitude.”❤️❤️

    • Christine Bolton
      March 2, 2022 at 11:25 am

      Thank you Sanaa. You’re sweet ☺️💕

  5. Helen L Dehner
    March 2, 2022 at 9:38 am

    Love the ‘story’ in your poem … it felt so real.

    • Christine Bolton
      March 2, 2022 at 11:18 am

      Thank you Helen ☺️💕

  6. rob kistner
    March 2, 2022 at 4:44 am

    Much power dreams form in menial labor Christine!

    • Christine Bolton
      March 2, 2022 at 8:54 am

      Yes Rob. Dreams are free.

  7. Sadje
    March 2, 2022 at 4:05 am

    Such a heartfelt poem Christine

    • Christine Bolton
      March 2, 2022 at 8:54 am

      Thanks you! ☺️💕 I’m happy it resonated Sadje

      • Sadje
        March 2, 2022 at 9:03 am

        You’re welcome my friend

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