L Milton Hankins Poet Free verse

Death In the Forest

Sunlight sifts through shimmering aspens
Casting ghost-like shadows on the forest floor
Camouflaging the smaller critters shyly
Skittering among the drying brown leaves
Protecting their well-hidden burrows
Sometimes I hear them chattering warning
In sharp squeaky voices so charming,
Not unlike the chirping of the nesting birds
When strangers invade their territories.
Stray sunbeams scamper across carpeted floor
Capturing a hidden hungry hog snake stalking
A chipmunk with leering, beady black eyes
Menacingly, when all else is tranquil hereabout.
Suddenly all is dark, the sun dips behind a cloud,
The snake lunges at the unsuspecting creature
As a crow abruptly caws loudly thrice overhead. 


Written May 17, 2022

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Laura Leiser May 18, 2022 at 8:42 PM What a sinister yet thrilling take regarding the dangers of forest life, Milton! I enjoyed this different slant, it kept my attention all the way through! Enjoyed! :) L Milton Hankins May 18, 2022 at 9:14 PM Ah, thanks so much, Laura. I'm glad you enjoyed the poem.

Mike Gentile May 18, 2022 at 5:29 AM Wow Milt! I should have paid more attention to your title! Here I am reading along , thinking of leaves and chipmunks and then, a SNAKE! I hate snakes!! You gave me a chill! Great imagery!! Happy Wednesday! L Milton Hankins May 18, 2022 at 8:20 AM (chuckling) Mike, always read the titles! (chuckling). I'm sorry I gave you a chill. Actually, it took that turn when my muse took over. The poem was not intended to be a chiller, but it works rather well. Happy Wednesday, my friend.

Valerie Staton May 17, 2022 at 6:59 PM What a picture you have drawn with your words. Nicely written. L Milton Hankins May 17, 2022 at 7:32 PM Valerie, I really appreciate your reading and commenting on my poem. Thank you.

Marco Chies May 17, 2022 at 6:27 PM A lovely wild scene, I really enjoyed it! L Milton Hankins May 17, 2022 at 7:32 PM Thank you so much, Marco. I sat in the park and wrote this poem. I appreciate your thoughts and your comment.

Caren Krutsinger May 17, 2022 at 2:13 PM I found one of these shy critters in my garage this morning - a baby raccoon with a beautiful tail! Caren Krutsinger May 19, 2022 at 4:08 AM Found a second raccoon in my garage the next morning - a lot uglier with a disgustingly ugly tail. L Milton Hankins May 17, 2022 at 2:52 PM Aw, how neat. Just be careful because, as you know, raccoons are notorious for carrying rabies.