L Milton Hankins Poet Pantoum

Aerial Jockeys of Daring Feat

Ice crystal contrails cerulean skies crisscross,
Grazing the wispy clouds of cottony linens
Like smooth white, waxy strings of dental floss
Strung out high above these heavenly denizens.

Grazing the wispy clouds of cottony linens
Are they playing war games above the peace?
Strung out high above these heavenly denizens
Are they from earthly tensions finding release?

Are they playing war games above the peace?
These high-flying aerial jockeys of daring feat
Are they from earthly tensions finding release?
They soar through the heavens without defeat.

These high-flying aerial jockeys of daring feat
Top guns rehearsing for battles they must abhor,
They soar through the heavens without defeat
Ever testing, faster, never enough, always more.

Top guns rehearsing for battles they must abhor
Keenly aware of the vital defense roles they play
Ever testing, faster, never enough, always more
Their high-flying antics are de rigueur for the day.

Keenly aware of the vital defense roles they play
Like smooth white, waxy strings of dental floss
Their high-flying antics are de rigueur for the day,
Ice crystal contrails cerulean skies crisscross. 

FIRST PLACE WINNER
Submitted to "Pantoum - Old or New" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Joseph May

SECOND PLACE WINNER
Written May 29, 2022
Submitted to "Flight Poetry Contest"
Sponsored by Chantelle Anne Cooke

#12 on BEST NEW POEMS LIST
June 10, 2022

Submitted to "Marathon Contest Mile 3"
Sponsored by Mark Toney

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Kim Rodrigues August 28, 2022 at 12:00 PM Another congratulations for you ~ Kim L Milton Hankins August 28, 2022 at 12:59 PM Thank you so much, Kim. Actually, this is one of my favorite poems by me.

Joseph May August 28, 2022 at 9:35 AM They graze the wispy clouds for aerial battles to come Very nicely penned Milton Congrats on your win L Milton Hankins August 28, 2022 at 10:14 AM Thanks so much, Joseph. I have always been fascinated by the appearance of contrails in the sky.

Connie Marcum Wong June 8, 2022 at 3:56 PM Congratulations on your wonderful Second Place win with this intricate Pantoum Milton. You really shine using this form. I don’t believe I’ve even written one of these. Blessings xxoo L Milton Hankins June 8, 2022 at 4:12 PM Well, Connie, you should try one. They are really fun. You are a first-rate poet, so it would be no problem for you. Thanks for the congrats.

Unseeking Seeker June 6, 2022 at 6:18 PM Your writing makes me dizzy, Milt, just like the fighter pilots above! Congrats on your win L Milton Hankins June 6, 2022 at 6:39 PM Thank you so very much, Unseeking Seeker, for your sweet and thoughtful comment on my poem.

Kim Rodrigues June 6, 2022 at 3:28 PM Congratulations! L Milton Hankins June 6, 2022 at 6:39 PM Kim, I thank you so much.

Paula Goldsmith June 6, 2022 at 2:43 PM Congratulations on your win. What a story/write. Have a great/blessed day................... L Milton Hankins June 6, 2022 at 3:15 PM Thanks, Paula. I really enjoyed writing this one. I'm glad you liked it.

Caren Krutsinger June 2, 2022 at 4:07 AM Straight to FAVE; Trixie and I both loved every word of this one Hank. L Milton Hankins June 2, 2022 at 9:51 AM Thanks. Tell Trixie I said "Hi!" This one came to me while I was sitting on my front porch on a beautiful day last week. The contrails were vying with the fluffy clouds for space. I hope it does well. I think it is among the better things I've ever written. Glad you liked it.

Ann Peck May 30, 2022 at 11:23 AM This is just beautiful, Milton. Surely a winner. "ice crystal contrails" - wow! L Milton Hankins May 30, 2022 at 11:27 AM I really enjoyed writing this poem, Ann, after watching the contrails in the afternoon sky. I don't know whether it's a winner, but it sprang from my heart. Thank you so much for your affirmative and thoughtful comment. I hope you are right. We'll see.

Marco Chies May 29, 2022 at 2:50 PM Master in Pantoum! Every sentence fitted perfectly, writing like that is a gift, Milton!!! L Milton Hankins May 29, 2022 at 4:05 PM Aw, thanks, Marco. Practice...my boy, practice!

Tom Cunningham May 29, 2022 at 2:01 PM A form I struggle with Milton but you make it look easy. Reminded me of a scene a few months ago when five f15s passed over my house, not sure where they were headed but there's an American base about an hour away RAF Fairford. Went to an airshow there once and was about forty feet away from a B52, what a beast of a plane. Tom L Milton Hankins May 29, 2022 at 4:06 PM Yes...they are awesome. I am used to seeing them when I am in Panama City, Florida. The B-52 is unbelievable! Tom Cunningham May 29, 2022 at 2:11 PM Just looked it up, the F15 strike eagle's are based at Lakenheath in Suffolk. I'll be able to sleep now it was bugging me lol.

Sotto Poet May 29, 2022 at 12:33 PM Milt, the composition of your pantoum is of the highest caliber. It just makes me want to sail into a paradise of clear blue sky and celestial denizens of serenity and stress finding relief. L Milton Hankins May 29, 2022 at 1:20 PM Thank you so very much, Lasaad. I hoped it might have that effect. I have been reading your marvelous pantoums, too. It's a lovely form for poetry, I think.