Hanging Out the Lifeline
written by: Jan Niebrzydowski
The sun is out; maybe this time it will work
I’m hanging my tears out to dry on the lifeline
From the second-story window, I pull the creaking
Clothesline in, replacing the towels with
Tiny water droplets that fall down my face
Closer, closer, I yank it towards me
Attaching them
Drop by drop by drop
The pulley comes forth, and I dip my fingers
In heart paste and attach them so gently
They carry the burdens of a world gone by
The lifeline drooping from the weight of them
Is it like this for everyone?
Perhaps…but I don’t know
They bask in the sun, shrinking to a steady state
Slowly, the pulley brings them back
Dry as a bone and ready to be folded and packed away
Into the vault of my soul
Ready and waiting to gush forth again
On another rainy day
- America – The Wishing Star - July 4, 2026
- Hanging Out the Lifeline - June 30, 2026
- The Third Rail - April 16, 2026
