God Rises From That Distant Hill

[This poem first appeared in the anthology, "The Soul and the Singer," Young Publications, c. 1968.  It was reprinted in my first poetry chapbook "The Lady in the Pink Hat," Candor Press, 1969.]

God rises from that distant hill
And surveys His wonder in silence still
Without reproach or bitter muse
For mankind's hostile subterfuge.
Not yet incensed with holy wrath
Against the impoverished aftermath
Of beauty laid in ruthless stubble
Amid earth's bent and broken rubble.

The mount remains in glory crowned
Majestic height is capped and gowned
And quietly repairs the ravaged simple
Chosen for the Almighty's temple
God rises from that distant hill
To frame the noble triune will
Responding to inhuman guise
With piercing but loving emerald eyes.


[From the note at the beginning, this poem was written sometime during 1967. I was twenty-six years old, at the time, but I had been writing poems since I was in elementary school. Most of them have been lost over the years.
This particular poem was always one of my favorites, and I was delighted to have it appear in an anthology by Young Publications, 1968.]

FIRST PLACE WINNER
for "The Throwback Challenge" Poetry Contest
sponsored by Natasha L Scragg
March 8, 2022

Copyright © | Year Posted 2022



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Date: 3/15/2022 10:49:00 AM
Congratulations on your win Milt. This is like a lyrical Psalm of praise and confidence. Wonderful perspective of Jesus after the Resurrection. How wonderful to see your gift grow and flourish. Blessings!
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/15/2022 1:53:00 PM
Thanks so much, Sam. Poetry has been a vital part of my life for a long, long time. I appreciate your thoughtful and kind comment.
Date: 3/12/2022 6:59:00 AM
Congratulations on your win. So young to write a beautiful write like this one. This is why you are such a wonderful writer. Have a blessed day/weekend................
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/12/2022 9:26:00 AM
Aw, Paula, you are just too kind. Thanks so much, though.
Date: 3/12/2022 3:31:00 AM
Congrats! Thanks for sharing this gem, so faith-propped; and for sharing your talent. God bless you.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/12/2022 9:26:00 AM
Beata, thanks so much for your thoughtful comment.
Date: 3/9/2022 7:24:00 PM
That is poetic and beautiful. Good luck in the competition, Milt.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/9/2022 7:30:00 PM
Thank you so much, Shirley. I appreciate your good wishes.
Date: 3/8/2022 12:52:00 PM
Milton, whenever I open the site, I take a look at your poetry. I like them all and they inspire me. This one in particular has a kind of worldview similar to the texts I produce. Considering the fact that you wrote it at an early age, this is really an admirable feat, as it requires the vision of the other, understanding of the hardships of the world and the insight to understand how the human being is responsible for his own downfall.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/8/2022 2:26:00 PM
Marco, I really appreciate the time you took to write these insightful and complimentary thoughts on my poem. I wish I could recall the circumstances surrounding the writing of this particular poem.
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