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A Fragile World Divided

A thin veneer of stormy war-clouds arising
To threaten the ever-roiling sovereigns,
Keeping the world in constant surmising
Hence no peace among the sister nations.

To threaten the ever-roiling sovereigns
Each greedily coveting the goods of another
Hence no peace among the sister nations
No family ties of ancestry, sister or brother.

Each greedily coveting the goods of another
Amassing armies for their supposed defenses
No family ties of ancestry, sister or brother,
Nations aggressively building needless fences.

Amassing armies for their supposed defenses
A fragile world divided into opposing castes,
Nations aggressively building needless fences
Makes a thinker wonder how long it can last.

A fragile world divided into opposing castes
Keeping the world in constant surmising,
Makes a thinker wonder how long it can last
A thin veneer of stormy war-clouds arising. 

Written May 10, 2022

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2022

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Caren Krutsinger Date: 5/13/2022 2:34:00 PM This is so sad "Hence no peace among the sister nations No family ties of ancestry, sister or brother." Unity is the key folks! Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 5/13/2022 5:30:00 PM Indeed, it is. And, I'm not sure the world will ever achieve it as long as world leaders promote divisiveness.

Sotto Poet Date: 5/12/2022 3:46:00 PM This is wonderful writing; I just enjoy it. By the way, I'm a big admirer of your two most impressive modes of expression ( villanelle, and Pantoum). This is not an isolated incident. Milton, your pantoum is highly charmed because of your great diction, which added to the magic of what you caught as the present condition of the world in the pantoum. There has been conflict and warfare ever since the beginning of time; it would appear that peace is impossible to achieve at this point. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 5/12/2022 7:56:00 PM Thank you so very much, Lasaad, for your thoughtful comment on my poem and also your appreciation for my villanelles and pantoums. I love using them for my themes whenever possible.

Robert Gorelick Date: 5/12/2022 3:34:00 PM So true in my time, my father's time, and his father's time. Stay strong Milton. You're in our hearts and prayers! Robert Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 5/12/2022 7:56:00 PM Thank you, Robert. I am home from the hospital and doing fine. I really appreciate everyone's concern, thoughts, and prayers.

Tom Cunningham Date: 5/10/2022 11:36:00 AM You captured the present state of the world well in your pantoum Milton, there has been conflict and war since time began, peace it seems is not in mankind's dna. Hope all goes well tomorrow. Tom Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 5/10/2022 11:46:00 AM Thanks, Tom, so much. I am optimistic for success!