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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

Date: 4/13/2021 4:14:00 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
Date: 4/13/2021 5:04:00 PM

Thanks so much, Mark, I'll take a look. I appreciated your read and your comment.

Dennis Spilchuk

Date: 3/21/2021 11:07:00 AM

I enjoyed reading your villanelle in tribute to the Viet Nam vets.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/21/2021 11:20:00 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

Date: 3/19/2021 11:06:00 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
Date: 3/19/2021 11:17:00 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

Date: 3/16/2021 11:11:00 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
Date: 3/16/2021 11:16:00 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

Date: 2/22/2021 4:51:00 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
Date: 3/16/2021 11:15:00 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

Date: 2/20/2021 10:18:00 PM

Such a wonderful tribute to fallen heroes, L Milton. Your beautiful words capture the heart. Blessings, Evelyn

L Milton Hankins
Date: 2/21/2021 9:49:00 AM

Thank you, Evelyn. I'm so glad you were moved by the poem. Have a wonderful day!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 2/20/2021 6:55:00 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
Date: 2/20/2021 7:21:00 PM

Gershon, I appreciate your comments very much. Thanks for reading my tribute to veterans.

Mystic Rose Rose

Date: 2/20/2021 6:34:00 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
Date: 2/20/2021 6:49:00 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.