L Milton Hankins | + Follow Poet |
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Ah, Drifting Leisurely - Repost

Ah, drifting leisurely inside the cloud, 
Watching hot sun’s rays glance across the nose 
of the winged drone, stealthily slipping proud, 
I drifted so peacefully through the floes. 

Updrafts from silent streams beneath arose 
lifting craft’s nose, unexpectedly plowed 
through looming cumulus's potential foes, 
Ah, drifting leisurely inside the cloud. 

My teeth clinching, I bared tense lips so proud; 
Sensed gusts of air across the broadened floes, 
Kissed cerulean sky above allowed 
Watching hot sun’s rays glance across the nose. 
 
Fecklessly, thoughts wondered how high she goes 
before narrow cockpit collapsed to shroud, 
and leaps of joy turned into flailing woes 
of the winged drone, stealthily slipping proud. 

For a moment, my breathing burst aloud, 
A sudden chill, fear inside my chest froze 
leaps of joy turned to sad, flailing allowed, 
I drifted so peacefully through the floes.

I shall land on the grassy field unbowed 
Receive the welcomed accolades from those 
who soloed the winds, powerless, uncowed 
by dangers the upper sky chose to pose, 
                                 Ah, drifting leisurely. 


SECOND PLACE WINNER
Written/Edited March 1, 2021, slightly modified May 21, 2022
for Rondeau Redouble - Life's Struggles contest
Sponsored by Constance La France

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2022

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Andrea Dietrich Date: 6/9/2022 1:14:00 PM Outstanding example, Milt! Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 6/9/2022 1:45:00 PM Thank you so much, Andrea. I always rather liked this poem myself. I always wanted to be a glider pilot. When I was a kid, I dreamed about it a lot. Love flying!

Caren Krutsinger Date: 5/23/2022 1:21:00 PM Congratulations on your win my friend! Well deserved! Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 5/23/2022 4:23:00 PM Oh, that was some time ago. This is a repost. I loved this poem.

Paulette Calasibetta Date: 5/22/2022 8:10:00 AM Wow Milton, this is breathtaking~you have taken your readers into flight! Congratulations on your 2nd Place win in the contest. :)Paulette Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 5/22/2022 9:44:00 AM Thanks, Paulette. This is why I reposted it. I felt it deserved another go-around because I do believe it brought special feelings to those who read it. I'm glad you enjoyed it.

Bill Baker Date: 5/21/2022 11:28:00 PM Congrats on the high finish in the contest, Milt. Well written poem, in form. I enjoyed the imagery and the feel of being in the clouds. Bill Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 5/22/2022 9:45:00 AM Thanks, Bill. I really appreciate your read and your comments.

Evelyn Judy Buehler Date: 5/21/2022 7:51:00 PM I greatly enjoyed this beautiful poem, Milton. Your fine imagery really took me there, drifting leisurely inside the cloud. This is a fave, my friend. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 5/21/2022 9:02:00 PM Thanks so much, Evelyn. It is also one of my favorites. I thought it should be posted again so that it might achieve wider readership. I believe some of our newbies will enjoy it, too.