L Milton Hankins Poet Couplet

A Loser's Lament

I have a deep ingrained aspiration--
[Wake each morning in anticipation]

A poem I have written earns first place,
So far, this simply has not been the case.

I follow the rules; I give it my best
Apparently, I just don't pass the test.

I am trying to mimic Dietrich's schtick
My simplistic rhymes are making me sick.

My editing skills are rather severe
The secret to first place is persevere.

Perhaps time will reward me with good luck
Meanwhile I won't give a flying f--k!**

The old saw's right I am eager to say
A broken clock is on time twice a day.

So, I'll continue submitting my verse
And hoping for the best--tenth place or worse!

[NOTE: I have carefully adhered to the 10-syllable line of iambic pentameter
but have embraced poetic license with the rhythm of each line]

[**NOTE: I deeply apologize for the "four-letter" word in the sixth
couplet, but I simply could not resist!]


Written March 19, 2021
for "Rhyming Couplets" contest
sponsored by Janice Canerdy

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Quoth Theraven March 25, 2021 at 8:27 AM Milton, Always loved the old adage with the broken clock. So hard to rhyme the word luck these days. -Richard

Caren Krutsinger March 24, 2021 at 12:20 AM "My editing skills are rather severe The secret to first place is persevere." This is the KEY to all poetry contests. I enter eight and hope to win one. It is a numbers game! L Milton Hankins March 24, 2021 at 8:50 AM Yeah, this poem was written sort of in jest at the whole contest thing. I still can't figure out how everyone can win First Place in a contest! Oh, well...it's fun, and, you know, it motivates me to write in a variety of forms and styles, and I have learned so much over the past couple of years from the experiences.

Christopher Flaherty March 22, 2021 at 6:16 PM Sadly L.M.H my friend Competition placing seem to be you place me and i'll place you quid pro quo. As you and countless others have found clever , creative and content are seemingly irrelevant . Unless you are of a similar persuasion but that doesn't mean your entry is in any way bad Christopher Flaherty March 24, 2021 at 1:25 PM My pleasure L.M.H 2 true my friend glad to admit when i an wrong because as you pointed out the valid point. If it gets you to learn and try new things then job done. Placing is a bonus. Best oflucjlk in all your future endeavours L Milton Hankins March 22, 2021 at 6:20 PM Aw, thanks for the encouragement, Christopher. I'll keep plodding away. I am always delighted with whatever place. And, I do enjoy the impetus contests give me to write different styles, forms, and themes. I have enjoyed reading some of your work on the new poems page.

Robert Pettit March 21, 2021 at 7:00 AM Don't worry about contest results. I have had many results similar to those that Regina has described just below. On the other hand, I have had a few pleasant surprises as well. I never expected two of my submissions to be selected as poem of the day during the past two months. This looks like a good write to me. L Milton Hankins March 21, 2021 at 9:16 AM Thanks for your encouraging word, Robert. Who knows? I meant this piece as a gentle jab at the contest system, but I do wonder sometimes how a wonderful piece (not just mine!) can be passed over for trivial doggery.

Panagiota Romios March 20, 2021 at 10:13 AM As long as a poem is first place in your heart, it is a winner. A contest judge is not infallible. Your couplets are sterling perfection in my opinion. I only was in four contests in over 2 and a half years. It's not for me. But I know it's Bigtime here, me? I just write my heart out, period.. Emjoyed these more than Perfect couplets Pangie xx L Milton Hankins March 20, 2021 at 10:20 AM Thanks so much, Pangie, for your encouraging words. i enjoy entering the contests. My only real problem is that writing poems for the contests take up so much time I should be using writing more seriously pieces. Oh, well....

Vijay Pandit March 20, 2021 at 6:42 AM You are very creative Milton. No one should be fazed by the opinions of some as you eloquently say. I know you meant this as fun--but it is true! L Milton Hankins March 20, 2021 at 8:47 AM Vijay, I really did pen it with a smile on my face. It was supposed to be a fun poke! Thanks for reading it and commenting.

Richard Lamoureux March 19, 2021 at 6:22 PM Ha ha ha, good luck and thanks for the chuckle. L Milton Hankins March 19, 2021 at 7:15 PM I am so pleased when anyone who reads this piece gets a good laugh. That's what was intended! Thanks for the read, Richard.

Carolyn Devonshire March 19, 2021 at 1:31 PM I'm surprised you haven't had a first place yet, Milton. Hang in there. You have the talent and I always enjoy reading your work. Cute couplet series, Milton. Maybe this will be your first first! Hugs, carolyn Carolyn Devonshire March 20, 2021 at 10:37 AM You get POTD when multiple people give your poem a "favorite." I know what you mean about contest poems. They often don't reflect our best work. Sometimes we can find a creative approach to a contest and come up with a poem that stands by itself. L Milton Hankins March 19, 2021 at 3:08 PM Carolyn, see my response to Jan. I love writing for the contests, although, I feel sometimes I put so much time into them that I neglect serious poems. Still, I try to get some poems written that have nothing to do with contests, just for the sheer joy and expression. I love reading the poems on PS, and I try to be as encouraging as possible to all the poets. I came up with this idea for the contest, and the rhymes just flowed. I couldn't resist! Hey, maybe this will be my first first, who knows? I'm shooting for POTD, too, but I don't know how it is selected. Many poems that make POTD and POTW don't seem that good to me, but who am I to judge?

Jan Allison March 19, 2021 at 12:32 PM love your witty write Milton, got to say i enter fewer and fewer contests these days and I am just grateful to get on the winner's list as it means more exposure as poems dont get read very often once they have let the new poems page. In my eyes you are a winner with every poem you post:-) hugs Jan xx L Milton Hankins March 19, 2021 at 3:04 PM Aw, thanks, Jan. The couplets were written strictly for fun...I really don't feel that way at all! But, I thought it would be an unusual entry for Janice's contest. And, as always, I hope readers enjoy it.