L Milton Hankins Poet Villanelle

A Far Cry

Hopeless cries from faraway Africa are heard 
Searing sands of Ethiopia cry for sustainable water 
Children are dying, never having spoken a word. 

Desperate fathers guard the starving cattle herd 
As temperatures rise, getting hotter and hotter 
Hopeless cries from faraway Africa are heard. 

Mothers with helpless eyes, sticky and blurred, 
Cling fast to their tiny, sickened son or daughter 
Children are dying, never having spoken a word. 

Their last meal shared a small portion of curd 
They dare not a precious newborn calf slaughter 
Hopeless cries from faraway Africa are heard. 

Sounds of mourning nearby, a family gathered 
Neighboring families too weak to console a father 
Children are dying, never having spoken a word. 

Here in America with our wealth we have erred 
Someday the wealthy piper must pay the potter 
Hopeless cries from faraway Africa are heard 
Children are dying, never having spoken a word. 


THIRD PLACE WINNER
Written April 11, 2021
For "This or That, Vol 2" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Edward Ibeh

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Sam Kauffman May 14, 2021 at 11:48 AM LM this winning poem makes a jab to the conscience and a swift kick to the status quo. Powerful writing. The Villanelle with its repetition of the thematic phrase "children are dying never having spoken a word" is a perfect format to drive home this reality. Hopefully your words will spark Spirit led ideas to address this on-going tragedy! Blessings to you my friend. Congratulations! L Milton Hankins May 14, 2021 at 11:54 AM Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment, Sam. That's exactly what I intended to do, but, with so folks listening these days, I'm not sure how far my message will reach. Again, I appreciate your visit and your read.

Sotto Poet May 13, 2021 at 4:28 PM Congratulations on your great win Milton, you deserve it. This is by far and to be one of the greatest poems I've ever read L Milton Hankins May 14, 2021 at 11:55 AM Lasaad, my humility kicked in, and I meant that you were overly-kind in your remarks. Thanks so much! Sotto Poet May 13, 2021 at 7:31 PM Dear Milton, I'm surprised you interpreted it as hyperbole; it's the polar opposite of what you're saying; I would never say that false; I thought all of your poems were fantastic; it's just painful if you believe that would diminish your poetic worth, given the nature of this piece and the people dying every day without assistance, as well as the shortage of essential humanitarian work that must be done. Thanks for understanding you are a good friend. L Milton Hankins May 13, 2021 at 6:05 PM Ah, Lasaad, that is a perfect example of hyperbole, but thanks anyway for your kindness and thoughtfulness.

Edward Ibeh May 13, 2021 at 3:18 PM Profoundly affecting and powerful penning, Milt! I absolutely loved this. Congrats on your win in my contest! L Milton Hankins May 13, 2021 at 3:25 PM Thanks, Edward. I was honored by this placement in your contest, especially.

Anisha Dutta May 2, 2021 at 11:39 AM Ruthless Truth to accept. Global problem is too hard to deal with Boldly penned. Blessing L Milton Hankins May 13, 2021 at 3:24 PM Thanks so much for your thoughtful comment, Anisha. Yes, this is a truth very hard to accept, but we must!

Beryl Edmonds April 18, 2021 at 2:12 PM Such a heartfelt write L, one that needs to be seen all over the world. So many dying of hunger and thirst, it’s a disgrace with some on earth sitting on fortunes it doesn’t make any sense at all - “If one shares what they have, the Lord gives it back, perhaps not in wealth but grace and emotional health”... Belle L Milton Hankins April 18, 2021 at 2:46 PM Thanks so much for your heartfelt comments, Belle. I appreciated your visit and your read.

Jennifer Fenn April 17, 2021 at 9:38 PM Heartbreaking poem about a heartbreaking situation. But that's what this poem is supposed to do, to raise awareness and get readers to think how they can help. Very effective! L Milton Hankins April 18, 2021 at 8:44 AM Thank you so much, Jennifer. Let's hope the poem accomplishes its purpose. World hunger is a plague which we could so easily conquer, don't you think?

Krish Radhakrishna April 14, 2021 at 11:41 AM Lovely poem with great message! Ethiopia is so much in trouble and never seems to end. Shall see if morning coffee brings the inspiration! L Milton Hankins April 14, 2021 at 11:51 AM Morning coffee always helps! Thanks for stopping by and making a heartfelt comment.

Eve Roper April 13, 2021 at 12:29 PM Great example for the contest, Milton, I wish all this would end. Eve L Milton Hankins April 13, 2021 at 5:07 PM Oh, you don't realize how much I wish it would, too. Thanks for your encouragement.

Caren Krutsinger April 12, 2021 at 6:34 AM So well done! "Children are dying, never having spoken a word." Do we actually SEE this? I do, and it makes me furious. When so many have so much! L Milton Hankins April 12, 2021 at 7:38 AM Don't get me started!!! I hope you'll enter my villanelle contest. I used this poem as a sample.

Tom Cunningham April 12, 2021 at 4:51 AM Its hard to believe that in this modern world there are many people starving to death. Yes, the western countries help but its not enough, more needs to be done to help those less fortunate than us to become self sufficient. Sadly terrorism is a big obstacle that prevents those unfortunate people getting the help that they need. Powerful verse Milton. Good luck in the contest. Tom Tom Cunningham April 12, 2021 at 9:01 AM Just studying the form and getting my head around it. Watch this space. L Milton Hankins April 12, 2021 at 7:38 AM Thank you so much, Tom. This was another one hard to write, but I felt the message was important. Hope you'll enter my villanelle contest!