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Black Is Beautiful

Black as the coal dust turned the faces
Of miners with pick-axes digging black gold
Black is beautiful we are constantly told,
And it is…regardless of skin-conscious races.

Black is the outline of cel frames unpainted
Before the artist fills in the blank spaces,
Before the reality of the light embraces
Purity of the soul will persist untainted. 


written August 26, 2021
for "The Color Black" Poetry Contest
sponsored by Chantelle Anne Cooke

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Caren Krutsinger Date: 8/30/2021 6:52:00 PM The artist in me really likes this "Black is the outline of cel frames unpainted Before the artist fills in the blank spaces," Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/30/2021 7:14:00 PM That's the case, I think. It is black that provides the space for the colors. But, you know much more about this than I do.

Christuraj Alex Date: 8/30/2021 4:55:00 AM You have very beautifully brought it out that black is beautiful. Congratulations on your win! Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/30/2021 9:01:00 AM Thank you, Christuraj. Just the truth and nothing but the truth.

Andrea Dietrich Date: 8/29/2021 11:13:00 AM Short one that is PROFOUND in what you are saying. VERY nice, Milt, and Congrats for a well deserved win. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/29/2021 12:05:00 PM Thanks, Andrea. I hope everyone understood what I was saying and the allusion I was making.

Marikate Kingston Date: 8/26/2021 9:39:00 PM I love the way your words rhyme and flow. Black always gets a bad wrap. Dirty, old, molded, dark.. But your poem reminds me of all the beauty in black. I love black-eyed Susans, and black coffee, and "4 and 20 blackbirds baked in a pie, sing a song of sixpence a pocket full of rye" :) Black is in so many special things, a black lab puppy too :) Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/27/2021 8:33:00 AM Thank you so much, Marikate. Black has always been one of my favorite colors. I never think of it as being dirty, especially when recalling my grandfather's face when he would come home from the mines.

David Kavanagh Date: 8/26/2021 12:49:00 PM Nothing black about your quatrain Milton, all positive and optimistic, very difficult to do, but you certainly managed with apparent ease and flow, all the best in contest, cheers David Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/26/2021 5:55:00 PM Thank you so much, David, for recognizing the theme, purpose, and plan of my short poem on the subject.

Regina Mcintosh Date: 8/26/2021 12:21:00 PM Lovely write and I wish you a win. God bless you and happy writing. Love, Gina Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/26/2021 5:56:00 PM Thank you, Regina, so much for your sweet thoughts and encouragement. I always appreciate hearing what you have to say about what I write.

Sotto Poet Date: 8/26/2021 12:09:00 PM Milton, the color black is just stunning, as is your poem. The white would lose its allure if it weren't for the black. This is a fantastic entry for the contest. Greetings and best wishes Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/26/2021 5:58:00 PM Thanks, Lasaad. I had not thought of the truth "white would lose its allure if it weren't for the black" before. But, of course, the reverse of this is true, as well. Shall we say they are interdependent for their dazzle?

Rico Leffanta Date: 8/26/2021 11:37:00 AM Were it not for black, could we see the stars? Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/26/2021 6:00:00 PM So interesting, so true, Rico, we could not, of course.

Demetrios Trifiatis Date: 8/26/2021 11:17:00 AM Without black, the white would lose its charm since it would have lost its vacuous contrast! Thoughtful writing, my friend, LMH! Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/26/2021 5:59:00 PM Ah, thanks so much for your insight, Demetrios. I really appreciate your thoughtful comment.

Evelyn Judy Buehler Date: 8/26/2021 10:52:00 AM Black is beautiful, and so is your poem, Milton. This is a wonderful contest entry. Best of wishes, Evelyn Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/26/2021 6:00:00 PM Thanks so much for your encouraging comment, Evelyn. I always love and respect hearing your opinion.

Mohamed Omar Date: 8/26/2021 9:54:00 AM Good one Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 8/26/2021 10:13:00 AM Thank you so much, Mohamed, for your thoughts.