This deliciously spring-like February day with its fresh breezes and happy children watching the laundry waving on the line put all kinds of poetry in my head. A happy wind blew it right into me and here it is.
[Confession: I did not put out to air all of the items listed in this poem!]
The Airing Day
Sweet wind from the
southwest the rain mist is sweeping.
Bold blackbirds
awaken the sky from its sleeping.
The chillied new
year a fresh spring cloak is wearing –
It’s time for the
house to turn out for an airing!
Bring out your
doilies and tea towels and cosies,
Hang out your pillow
shams, blankets and duvets,
Pull out the rugs
from the bugs and the dust,
And beat them in
league with the wind if you must!
Bring out your
mattress, your couch and your foot puff,
Drag out your
latch-hooked rugs, all of the floor stuff.
Clear out the nooks
and the crannies and closets,
Eradicate all the
dust bunny deposits!
Pin pillows to
clotheslines, hang bath mats on porch rails,
While breezes turn
all of the bedsheets to boat sails.
Old quilts from the
closet come out like brave banners,
Exhibiting brisk,
unconventional manners.
All of the linens,
grown dusty from living
With winter, are
waving a giddy thanksgiving!
Fresh air, flood the
windows, thrown open to greet you
Spring day, the whole house is delighted to meet you.
- Alyssa Bohon,
February 2018