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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 FRONT PAGE PICK All-Poetry July 23, 2022 FRONT PAGE PICK All-Poetry October 22, 2022

Copyright © | Year Posted 2022




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Date: 5/18/2022 8:42:00 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! :)
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/18/2022 9:14:00 PM
Ah, thanks so much, Laura. I'm glad you enjoyed the poem.
Date: 5/18/2022 5:29:00 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!
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/18/2022 8:20:00 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.
Date: 5/17/2022 6:59:00 PM
What a picture you have drawn with your words. Nicely written.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/17/2022 7:32:00 PM
Valerie, I really appreciate your reading and commenting on my poem. Thank you.
Date: 5/17/2022 6:27:00 PM
A lovely wild scene, I really enjoyed it!
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/17/2022 7:32:00 PM
Thank you so much, Marco. I sat in the park and wrote this poem. I appreciate your thoughts and your comment.
Date: 5/17/2022 2:13:00 PM
I found one of these shy critters in my garage this morning - a baby raccoon with a beautiful tail!
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Caren Krutsinger
Date: 5/19/2022 4:08:00 AM
Found a second raccoon in my garage the next morning - a lot uglier with a disgustingly ugly tail.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/17/2022 2:52:00 PM
Aw, how neat. Just be careful because, as you know, raccoons are notorious for carrying rabies.

Book: Shattered Sighs