Frontier Tragedy

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[This poem, "Frontier Tragedy," was written when I was in my late teens...the late 1950s. I recited it on a number of occasions for literature classes, and included it in "The Lady in the Pink Hat," Candor Press, 1969, my first poetry chapbook. I am putting it to rest here at Poetry Soup!]

The skulls were nearly hidden By the thickets in the glen Scattered in ancient cinders Where a house and barn had been. Remains of years and years ago An Indian raid perhaps On a distant frontier settlement Not shown on any maps. Once an humble household A man, his wife, their child Who had left an eastern fortress To live out in the wild. No mercy for these seekers Of peace and solitude? Not even an inquiry In the years of interlude? What creatures are we who linger In the limbo of levity Unable to grasp some meaning In the wake of tragedy.

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Caren Krutsinger

Date: 6/2/2021 3:21:00 AM

This is intriguing. "The skulls were nearly hidden By the thickets in the glen Scattered in ancient cinders Where a house and barn had been." Wow!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/2/2021 8:34:00 AM

Sometimes my creative juices run amuck, Caren, just like yours. I don't know what I was thinking, since I was quite young when I wrote this.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 5/30/2021 3:04:00 PM

Piercing question there, Milt. I like the sharp point of your '60's pen! Best always, Gershon

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/30/2021 5:47:00 PM

Thanks, Gershon. Gosh, just realized that poem is sixty-plus years old. But, of course, I've been writing since I was old enough to hold a pencil. When I received my first typewriter from my parents, I was in seventh heaven!

Rico Leffanta

Date: 5/30/2021 11:46:00 AM

"Give us this day our daily dread" ......

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/30/2021 12:42:00 PM

Thanks, Rico. I think I just did!

Sotto Poet

Date: 5/30/2021 11:39:00 AM

The last stanza says it all Milton, the humanity still incapable of getting a handle on any importance from a past misfortune, our circumstance is in any event, deteriorating, our resolve is at its most minimal level, incredible quatrain it doesn't have the right to pass on here, it needs to have a pleasant spot in the best historical center on the off chance that we think one day to assemble a verse gallery

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/30/2021 12:42:00 PM

Aw, thanks, Lasaad.