L Milton Hankins Poet Ottava rima

Encouragement For a Graduate

Your life is so rich--uniquely consequential--
It's no accident, YOU were born with potential,
No goal is so lofty you cannot achieve it
You're a special one-of-a-kind, that's the secret.
Never stop dreaming, aim for unreachable stars
Anticipate some battles, with pride wear those scars.
Someday you'll look back on a distinguished career,
Because you faced every day with courage, my dear.


FIRST PLACE WINNER
Written for B.J. Legros Kelley's
Contest - "Graduation Blessing"
3/8/2021

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Eve Roper April 8, 2021 at 2:41 PM Great write, Milton , congratulations on your 1st place win. Hugs Eve L Milton Hankins April 8, 2021 at 4:15 PM Eve, thanks so much for your notice.

Janice Canerdy April 8, 2021 at 10:06 AM A big CONGRATS on your well-deserved win, L Milton. Janice L Milton Hankins April 8, 2021 at 12:37 PM Thanks, Janice. I appreciate your comment.

Sam Kauffman April 8, 2021 at 9:32 AM Congratulations LM on your winning poem. I love the admonition "never stop dreaming, aim for unreachable stars." Reminds me of the song from Man of La Mancha - The Impossible Dream - which soars with positive energy and hope as does your poem. Sending you Easter blessings of joy. L Milton Hankins April 8, 2021 at 9:53 AM Thank you so much, Sam. I appreciated the time you took to write such a nice, thoughtful comment.

Bj Legros Kelley April 7, 2021 at 11:55 PM Congratulations on your top placing poem! It is excellent, filled with much wisdom. L Milton Hankins April 8, 2021 at 9:06 AM Thanks, BJ. I thought your contest was an important one. Thanks for the recognition.

Caren Krutsinger March 11, 2021 at 11:12 PM "Anticipate some battles, with pride wear those scars." This is ever so true; some of my worst battles were with God arguing that I wanted my own way. I went into them kicking and clawing and came out realizing His plan was much better than my own! L Milton Hankins March 12, 2021 at 10:06 AM Thanks for ready my poems...so many of them last evening. It was really flattering. Your comments are always spot on.

Gershon Wolf March 8, 2021 at 5:18 PM That's telling them like it really and truly is, Milt. Great job. :) gw L Milton Hankins March 8, 2021 at 8:45 PM Again, many thanks. I'm glad you came by, read my poem, and left a very nice compliment.

Carolyn Devonshire March 8, 2021 at 11:29 AM Your words would empower any graduate. Sometimes people think life will be easy once they graduate, but the work is really just beginning. Love those last two lines, Milton. Hugs, Carolyn L Milton Hankins March 8, 2021 at 11:47 AM Thanks, Carolyn. I look back on baccalaureate messages I brought and realize I could have said them all with eight lines well-conceived, well-written, and well-delivered! Your compliments are so helpful.