Friday, October 26, 2012

A Woman and her Wheels

Our Poetry Friday host is Linda at TeacherDance.

I have bicycles on the brain this week. So here's bicycle poem for the day.



The Maiden
by Anonymous

The maiden with her wheel of old
Sat by the fire to spin,
While lightly through her careful hold
The flax slid out and in.
Today her distaff, rock and reel
Far out of sight are hurled
And now the maiden with her wheel
Goes spinning round the world.

Must get back to the work in progress. Yes, it has bicycles.


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16 comments:

  1. HaddockOctober 26, 2012 at 4:25 AM

    Like that period picture.... more like from the early fifties.

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    1. DoraineOctober 26, 2012 at 12:37 PM

      Yes, there are some wonderful bicycle posters still floating around. This one is a bit earlier, though, I believe. Thanks for stopping by.

      Delete
  2. Robyn Hood BlackOctober 26, 2012 at 10:15 AM

    Delightful, Doraine! Thanks for sharing. I'll pass along to Paula Puckett, who, among other things, makes spinning wheels out of bicycle tires! ;0)

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    1. DoraineOctober 26, 2012 at 12:36 PM

      I had forgotten she made spinning wheels out of tires! So good to see you this past weekend.

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  3. Liz SteinglassOctober 26, 2012 at 2:34 PM

    What a perfect contrast!

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  4. TabathaOctober 26, 2012 at 3:59 PM

    It's wonderful how our works-in-progress help us find little gems that we might otherwise miss!

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    1. DoraineOctober 26, 2012 at 9:43 PM

      Yes! I found this marvelous anthology of bicycle poems, called "The Art of Bicycling," edited by Justin Daniel Belmont. I'm working my way through slowly, but have found some that I really like.

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  5. Linda BOctober 26, 2012 at 5:33 PM

    I love the poem, how she throws off the household tasks to go out into the world. There are many a person (woman) who has done so, & some have big tales to tell I think, too.

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    1. DoraineOctober 26, 2012 at 9:47 PM

      I laughed when I read this, Linda. I saw your description of "big tales" and thought "tall tales." There are probably plenty of both!

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  6. GatheringBooksOctober 26, 2012 at 9:24 PM

    Lovely image and poetry. Sadly, I have never learned how to ride a bike - maybe in the next lifetime? :)

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    1. DoraineOctober 26, 2012 at 9:50 PM

      Oh, Myra. What freedom you've missed! You must read "A Wheel Within a Wheel" by Frances E. Willard. Suffragette in the 1800s and her story of learning to ride. Perhaps you will be inspired!

      Here's the link to it online. http://bit.ly/Vu5j5A

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  7. LindaOctober 26, 2012 at 9:35 PM

    I've never been very good at riding a bike, but I did enjoy the poem! Good luck with your WIP!

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    1. DoraineOctober 26, 2012 at 9:51 PM

      Thanks, Linda. Maybe you need to read Willard's book, too! See comment above to Myra. I am glad you liked the poem.

      Delete
  8. Heidi MordhorstOctober 28, 2012 at 6:43 AM

    Thanks for this little snippet of history in poster and verse, Dori. It leaves me so curious to pin down the dates of the transition. Good luck with your WIP!

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  9. Author AmokOctober 28, 2012 at 8:38 PM

    Hi, Dori. I knit but do not spin my own wool. Still -- the freedom of this poem and hurling that spinning wheel away, so powerful.

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