L Milton Hankins Poet Blank verse

Brink of Disaster

“Wars and rumors of wars” – the Bible says
That being so, then we should not be surprised
When selfishness and greed are bubbling over
When covetous, malicious, power-hungry leaders
Bring the entire world to the brink of disaster.

We need always be prepared for the next one
For they will come, surely, as the sun rises and sets
Despotic-minded individuals will seek positions
With no regard for their country’s well-being
Ordinary folks being merely dispensable pawns.

Beware deceivers who say what you want to hear
Cloaked in high-sounding platitudes of patriotism
For it’s possible the next time our country may fall
To perversions of principles we have long cherished
Once gone, they cannot be restored in our lifetime. 

Written April 5, 2022

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Kenneth Cheney April 5, 2022 at 11:54 AM I think you have described our current situation quite well. L Milton Hankins April 5, 2022 at 12:00 PM Thank you so much, Kenneth. I hope so.

Rico Leffanta April 5, 2022 at 11:35 AM Yesterday we heard a Senator say he would not support the nomination of a Supreme Court Justice because, "She does not share my views". Of course not! She understands he does not understand he is not there to support his views, but to support the Constitution and what is best for constituents and the nation! L Milton Hankins April 5, 2022 at 11:45 AM I heard the same thing. I was appalled! She's an excellent, well-educated, well-experienced jurist. She'll be an outstanding justice, but she'll probably make some decisions I don't like or wouldn't approve of. As long as she sticks to the Constitution "and what is best for constituents and the nations" I'm for her!

Caren Krutsinger April 5, 2022 at 10:39 AM The warning is here for all of us "Once gone, they cannot be restored in our lifetime. " and it is right. L Milton Hankins April 5, 2022 at 11:10 AM So true. So true. But does anybody hear?

Tom Cunningham April 5, 2022 at 10:10 AM A lot of the Russian people have been taken in by that deceiver Putin. Who risks the lives of thousands to achieve his goals, you're right, we've had them in the past and will also have them in the future. Tom L Milton Hankins April 5, 2022 at 11:11 AM Well, we need to figure out a way to get rid of them before they cost thousands of innocent peoples' lives.

Andy Chunn April 5, 2022 at 9:29 AM This is so true....and well stated. We need to be aware of everything that is happening....here and abroad. L Milton Hankins April 5, 2022 at 9:32 AM Absolutely, Andy. Thank you so much for your thoughtful, insightful response to my poem.