L Milton Hankins | + Follow Poet |
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A December Memento

When Mama lay dying a sad Christmas because
We visited her in Memorial on that Christmas Eve,
She’d hidden away our presents as old Santa Claus.
She told us where to find them as we got up to leave,
It was a poignant moment, and it still gives me pause. 

[Sicilian Quintain]

Written December 6, 2022
Submitted to “A Christmas Memento” Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Andrea Dietrich

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Ann Peck Date: 12/26/2022 2:46:00 PM How interesting, Milton. A lovely memento Congratulations on first! Login to Reply

Paula Goldsmith Date: 12/26/2022 9:37:00 AM Congratulations on your win. A wonderful yet sad write. Have a blessed day................. Login to Reply

Christuraj Alex Date: 12/25/2022 2:20:00 AM Indeed, a poignant moment, yet, ponderable. Congratulations! Login to Reply

Andrea Dietrich Date: 12/24/2022 6:57:00 PM This is a very touching memory and a great quintain. Congrats in my contest, Milt, and Merry Christmas to you. Login to Reply

Caren Krutsinger Date: 12/6/2022 11:00:00 PM Beautiful memory, terrifically penned Hank. Login to Reply

Linda Alice Fowler Date: 12/6/2022 3:48:00 PM A touching and loving memory Milt. What a giving and thoughtful mother. You were blessed to have her in your life. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/6/2022 6:51:00 PM I was, truly, blessed with a wonderful mother. I just did not have her around long enough in the flesh. She is always with me in spirit.

Jenna Logan Date: 12/6/2022 1:18:00 PM In near death, she thought of gifts for her family. Your loss still weighs heavy, Milt. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/6/2022 1:36:00 PM She did, Jenna. That's the kind of woman and mother she was. She was 42 years old.

Marco Chies Date: 12/6/2022 1:00:00 PM Beautifully sad. My brother died on Christmas night, he was only 04 years old, I was 06 and that moment was so shocking that even today I see him vomiting blood (advanced leukemia) and my parents screaming in terror. In the morning, next to the Christmas tree, the little white coffin with him finally resting. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/6/2022 1:37:00 PM Oh my, Marco. That's an image that obviously has stayed with you your entire life. What a tragic loss! Jenna Logan Date: 12/6/2022 1:17:00 PM Oh, Marco, your brother's tragedy is heartbreaking. I'm so sorry you and your family had such an ordeal, on any day.

Tom Cunningham Date: 12/6/2022 10:49:00 AM A beautiful memory Milton, even in her dying moments she was thinking of her family. Good luck. Tom Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/6/2022 11:28:00 AM Indeed, she was, Tom. Although this was our last Christmas together, she lingered on until the end of July. She struggled with melanoma for five years. I was fifteen when she died. She was an incredible mother, and I believe she is still with me every day. Seldom does a day go by that I don't think fondly of her.

Becky Forbes Date: 12/6/2022 10:15:00 AM Very touching. Thank you for sharing! Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/6/2022 10:42:00 AM Thank you, Becky. It's actually what happened. My most memorable Christmas ever!