L Milton Hankins Poet Villanelle

For Veterans of a Recent War

Raise high the chalice for the saddened heart 
At the banquet for the king’s coronation; 
Sing the ballads of valiant warriors to depart. 

They who have returned to guard the rampart. 
Salute their bold stance for God and nation; 
Raise high the chalice for the saddened heart 

More than heroes, our wounded, they fought, 
Who returned from battle to condemnation, 
Sing the ballads of valiant warriors to depart. 

Some never returned from the jungles afar; 
Some came home with PTSD, a rabid fixation. 
Raise high the chalice for the saddened heart 

No parades, no welcoming home to restart 
Their new life from inappropriate obligation. 
Sing the ballads of valiant warriors to depart 

May from families never again be worlds apart, 
Never again need be silent cries of oblation. 
Raise high the chalice for the saddened heart 
Sing the ballads of valiant warriors to depart.


Written February 20, 2021
Submitted to "All Yours" Contest
Judged N/A on February 23, 2021

FIRST PLACE WINNER
Submitted to "NA from a February 2021" Contest
Sponsored by:  Constance La France
March 18, 2021

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Mark J. Halliday April 13, 2021 at 4:14 PM As a veteran, I found this very moving. Well done. I have a few pieces about veterans you might like. Mark Halliday (SSG, USA Ret.) L Milton Hankins April 13, 2021 at 5:04 PM Thanks so much, Mark, I'll take a look. I appreciated your read and your comment.

Dennis Spilchuk March 21, 2021 at 11:07 AM I enjoyed reading your villanelle in tribute to the Viet Nam vets. L Milton Hankins March 21, 2021 at 11:20 AM Thanks so much, Dennis. Their treatment has always, as a veteran, weighed heavily on my heart. I appreciated your read and your comment.

Constance La France March 19, 2021 at 11:06 AM Milt, congratulations on your win in my NA Poem from a Contest Judged in Feb 2021. I love this poem, well done _Constance L Milton Hankins March 19, 2021 at 11:17 AM Thanks so much for your applause for one of my first attempts into the villanelle form. Thanks for giving me a high mark! Have a wonderful weekend.

Maurice Rigoler March 16, 2021 at 11:11 AM I found your villanelle, Milton, and I found it easy reading and seemingly not difficult to write. I just may try one with a good theme. Thanks for your encouragement. / Maurice L Milton Hankins March 16, 2021 at 11:16 AM I hope you will, Maurice. You have a way with poetry, and I know you can do it! Good luck. I'll be watching for it.

Tom Cunningham February 22, 2021 at 4:51 AM A beautiful tribute L. Milton to those servicemen and women who fight and defend our freedoms. What annoys me are those returning home battle scared and left to fend for themselves. We've had cases in the UK where veterans took their own lives because professional help was not forthcoming and when it did often too late. Tom L Milton Hankins March 16, 2021 at 11:15 AM I know, Tom. It's a damn shame that so many veterans survive the battles only to succumb to PTSD and other maladies war-related. We owe them our undying gratitude. I was in from 1960-1964, pre-Vietnam, thank goodness.

Evelyn Judy Buehler February 20, 2021 at 10:18 PM Such a wonderful tribute to fallen heroes, L Milton. Your beautiful words capture the heart. Blessings, Evelyn L Milton Hankins February 21, 2021 at 9:49 AM Thank you, Evelyn. I'm so glad you were moved by the poem. Have a wonderful day!

Gershon Wolf February 20, 2021 at 6:55 PM Haunting, L Milton. Deeply moving villanelle here. May war ever become the absolute last resort of leaders. Be they democratically elected or tinhorn despots, war (unless it be purely defensive) besmirches them equally. Peace and Tranquility, Gershon L Milton Hankins February 20, 2021 at 7:21 PM Gershon, I appreciate your comments very much. Thanks for reading my tribute to veterans.

Mystic Rose Rose February 20, 2021 at 6:34 PM I think you payed them a wonderful tribute I agree we need to raise that chalice high. They deserve our respect and our honor. Thank you for sharing Milt L Milton Hankins February 20, 2021 at 6:49 PM Thanks so much, Mystic Rose Rose, for coming by to read "For Veterans of a Recent War." It was my first attempt to write a villanelle. I wanted to use a special form for this special tribute.