L Milton Hankins Poet Villanelle

Advice From An Old Man

Seek out what is right and diligently follow it
Wherever it may lead you hither and yon,
Be diligent to go where lamps of truth are lit.

When brighter lights beckon, will you permit,
Like moths to flame be unwittingly drawn?
Seek out what is right and diligently follow it.

Be careful to seek the paths others may forfeit
For craven desires that vanish with the dawn
Be diligent to go where lamps of truth are lit.

Days quickly pass when eager youth commit,
When opportunity for good is hastily withdrawn
Seek out what is right and diligently follow it.

Days come when age and infirmity do not permit
Pure innocence like the spring-born spotted fawn
Be diligent to go where lamps of truth are lit.

Make proud those who guided you and commit
To all good things honorably engaging your life
Seek out what is right and diligently follow it
Be diligent to go where lamps of truth are lit. 


Written on Easter Sunday, April 4, 2021

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Mark J. Halliday April 13, 2021 at 4:12 PM Very good! I wrote a similar villanelle back in 2015 called Excellence. Mark J Halliday aka WarriorPoet L Milton Hankins April 13, 2021 at 5:05 PM Thank you, Mark. I'm so pleased you have read my poem.

Gershon Wolf April 6, 2021 at 6:02 PM Love the turn of phrase 'Lamps of Truth.' Our job is to be 'Lamplighters,' methinks. Superb, Milt! Truth and Trust, Gershon L Milton Hankins April 6, 2021 at 6:15 PM Thanks, Gershon. I always appreciate your thoughtful remarks.

Gary Radice April 5, 2021 at 4:26 AM I was interested in what you said to Sara in the comments section: that you thought that this is the best form for the subject matter. Having read your poem, I totally agree. It's very good. I am envious in a way. I tend to get an idea and then shoehorn it into basic rhyme but don't look beyond at all the different forms of poetry. Laziness or ignorance or both on my part? I don't know but what I do know Milton, is this piece has inspired me to look further at the different forms. Cheers - Gary L Milton Hankins April 5, 2021 at 9:43 AM Well, thanks, Gary. I hope you will do that. Some of the poetry forms are very, very challenging, but I thoroughly enjoy playing around with them. Also, it is true, I find different themes worth better in less-familiar forms and styles.

Andy Chunn April 4, 2021 at 8:07 PM Very good advice...I believe. Thanks for the writing. Happy Easter. L Milton Hankins April 4, 2021 at 8:36 PM Thanks, Andy. How nice of you to visit and read my poem. Thanks for your thoughtful comment. Happy Easter to you, too!

Sotto Poet April 4, 2021 at 4:13 PM A lovely poem in a form that I have never tried before but surely I’m going to give it a try it’s so wise and your words go straight to the heart. Thanks for sharing and thanks for using this form. L Milton Hankins April 4, 2021 at 7:27 PM Thank you, Lasaad, for the read and your comments. I think you should try it. Having two rhyme schemes increases the complexity, but it's a lovely form. You'll enjoy it, and I'll look forward to your villanelle.

Caren Krutsinger April 4, 2021 at 2:27 PM A lovely tribute to a gorgeous Easter Day and it reeks of wisdom. L Milton Hankins April 4, 2021 at 2:43 PM Caren, I think I blew a perfectly lovely Easter day, most of it spent at this site reading poems and commenting. Thanks so much for your visit. I enjoy your poems immensely.

Duke Beaufort April 4, 2021 at 2:20 PM Hi L, if I can call you that. Good advice indeed. I like to think about, “paths others may forfeit for craven desires.” That rings true. Advice is good, but the animal in us can be a bit impulsive for sure. We hopefully learn from experience, but not everyone does. Certainly not from history, which is also a form of advice for some. I hope to read more of your work, as it brings a smile to my face. L Milton Hankins April 4, 2021 at 2:42 PM Thanks, Duke. Feel free to call me "Milt." I enjoyed your visit and thank you again for your thoughtful comment.

Sara Kendrick April 4, 2021 at 1:38 PM Good one. I guess it is correct. I have to look this form up every time. LOL. Great topic chosen about which to write. Thanks for the visits to my page. Sara L Milton Hankins April 4, 2021 at 2:10 PM Yep, I'm pretty sure it is correct, but that doesn't matter so much. I just thought it was the best form for this subject matter. Thanks for your kind comment.

Robert Pettit April 4, 2021 at 1:03 PM Good words of wisdom. Reminds me a bit of a recording by the late Orson Welles from years ago. L Milton Hankins April 4, 2021 at 1:05 PM Thanks so much, Robert. Your comment encouraged me, and it will be well-received by others who read this villanelle.