 Elsie at 17:45 on 14 November 2004
 Report this post
|
Joanie, I know the feeling. I found the first stanza, quite scary - thought it was going to be a horror. Which ironing is, I guess. Nicely done.
| |
 joanie at 17:48 on 14 November 2004
Report this post
|
Thanks, Elsie. I'm glad it wasn't too obscure. I've finished now! (Apart from those last few things which I always ignore.)
Thanks for responding.
joanie
| |
 Okkervil at 19:43 on 14 November 2004
Report this post
|
Oooh. Being a lad of but seventeen years I am yet to have experience in this 'ironing' lark. No I jest, I can, sort of, but I've been told to stop. Anyway, the point is that through my inexperience, I had next to no idea what this was on about- I do now, and see that it is probably less opaque to anyone that isn't me. It's very good, incidently. I loved the plaintive last stanza.
Bye!
James
| |
joanie at 21:19 on 14 November 2004
Report this post
|
James, keep away from ironing of any sort - you're better without it.
Thanks!
joanie
| |
The Walrus at 21:57 on 14 November 2004
Report this post
|
Ironing is synonymous with purgatory. Loved it. Epitomised the full frontal attack I approach every growing mound.
Good one!
The Walrus
| |
Account Closed at 06:38 on 15 November 2004
Report this post
|
Hi Joanie,
I loved the way you go to battle - so true - plus the ones that never get done - I also have a pile that never gets washed. If you have time, take a peek at my "Ironing for France" I think you'll relate to it!!
Elspeth
| |
joanie at 06:49 on 15 November 2004
Report this post
|
Christina and Elspeth, thank you! I've read "Ironing for France" - yes I certainly do relate to that. I'm glad you have ones which never get done; it isn't just me, then.
joanie
| |
|
|
tinyclanger at 18:29 on 15 November 2004
Report this post
|
I don't think I would have 'got' this, which makes me feel very dim...but then that's probably because me and the iron parted company several years ago, only to be reunited for funerals and better days that Sundays. (I always take me iron along to a funeral)
But even tho' I missed the message, I think its very well crafted, I love the structure and "freedom that they don't expect" is just a wonderful line.
x
tc
| |
Chem at 19:14 on 15 November 2004
Report this post
|
A fantastic poem joanie, which I thoroughly enjoyed!
I tend to wear clothes which, I have officially decided, do not need to be ironed :-)
Em
| |
joanie at 20:49 on 15 November 2004
Report this post
|
tc and Em, thank you for your responses. Glad you enjoyed it.
joanie
<Added>
oops, sorry! Thank you Kathleen too.
| |
roovacrag at 21:40 on 15 November 2004
Report this post
|
Joan, I hate ironing and used to curse when I had mounds of mens shirts.
Now there is just me and the dog I try to get away with a lot.
Great one.
xx Alice
| |
joanie at 22:00 on 15 November 2004
Report this post
|
Thanks for reading Alice. I don't really mind ironing I suppose. I like the end result, but I wouldn't do it from choice. It's a good feeling when it's done.
Thanks again. Joan.
| |
Don Gorgon at 22:49 on 15 November 2004
Report this post
|
joanie, you love it! I can tell! I think this is great. You are obviously inspired by the sight of a pile of ironing and I like that! I actually don't mind doing the odd bit of ironing, I never do, but I don't mind if I have to, if you know what I mean?
Thanks
Don
joanie, I nearly forgot. Are they still sinister after ironing? Does it purge them or someting?
| |
joanie at 06:44 on 16 November 2004
Report this post
|
Thanks Don! No, they're only menacing when they are part of that mountain; they are lovely once they have been 'done' - until the next time! I feel sorry for the ones I always leave in the basket.
joanie
| |
engldolph at 10:47 on 16 November 2004
Report this post
|
HI Joanie,
A wickedly fun read.
I loved the last lines..
Except the few who stay
as if held
to ransom,
with nobody prepared to
pay the price.
and the idea that there is a limit to what you will give up to get out the wrinkles.
Agree with TC that ironing did not spring to mind ..and was wondering what not give the reader a better clue..either in titling it: Ironing ... or perhaps a clearer, eraly clue.
Enjoyed
Mike
| |
joanie at 11:27 on 16 November 2004
Report this post
|
Thanks Mike - I did wonder about that but then Elsie got it straight away so I decided to leave it as it is. I thought the 'strike' in line 7 was a clue: "Strike while the iron is hot"?
Glad you enjoyed it.
joanie
| |
Ticonderoga at 13:26 on 16 November 2004
Report this post
|
A love the fact that something so apparently simple and domestic can resonate so powefully beyond the obvious. Clever stuff.
Mike
| |
|
|
fireweed at 07:56 on 17 November 2004
Report this post
|
joanie, this is a very clever idea - I must admit that i didn't immediately think of ironing - shows how distant a memory this is in my experience. An earlier clue might have helped as someone has already suggested. I'm not sure that the unironed items are necessarily sinister nor is it a kind of freedom to become ironed - wouldn't all fabrics rather be themselves - creased or not.
Just a few thoughts.
Enjoyed reading this poem.
fireweed
| |
joanie at 09:57 on 17 November 2004
Report this post
|
Thanks, fireweed. My pile of ironing is definitely sinister! I really meant that they are free from the confines of the basket.
Thanks for reading and responding.
joanie
| |
|
|
|
|
lieslj at 06:09 on 20 November 2004
Report this post
|
I love poetry that addresses the ordinary. You do so with amusing applomb.
We have an employment creation programme at the church where my husband plays the organ. We take a mound of laundry each week and for a very modest fee some unemployed women render it ironed and folded. Heaven. Especially when it is so hot. Probably hell for them. Oy, the politics provoked by your ironing poem.
L
| |
joanie at 14:37 on 20 November 2004
Report this post
|
Thanks, Liesl. That's a brilliant idea!
Thanks for reading.
joanie
| |
Comments by other Members
