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I Have Wondered

I have wondered whether birds of different species converse. Do they hold contests to see who can fly fastest and highest? Are trees standing side by side for decades communicating? Do the aquarium fishes discuss “those” folk outside the glass? Is it possible a rose withdraws slightly to keep us from picking? When wood borers stop in midair to stare, are they wondering? Consider the process: does the same rain fall more than once? Do animals in the zoo realize they are not free to roam about? I wonder why some people think they are superior to others. Written March 18, 2022

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Bill Baker

Date: 5/29/2022 11:20:00 AM

Great things to wonder about, Milt. I do that wondering thing, quite often. Bill

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/29/2022 12:04:00 PM

I think it is part and parcel of the poets' raison d'etre, Bill. We cannot keep from musing.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 5/19/2022 4:07:00 AM

Now I am wondering "When wood borers stop in midair to stare, are they wondering?" - what wood borers are! So I thank you for that Hank.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/19/2022 8:10:00 AM

Wood borers are very obnoxious insects that resemble bumblebees that bore into redwood decks, porches, etc. They are very bold about claiming their territory, so will dive bomb anyone sitting near their holes. They have incredible flying abilities and can hover in mid-air and stare at you, sometimes with a foot of your face! Very annoying.

Marco Chies

Date: 5/18/2022 6:35:00 PM

There is a poem of mine, called GOD AVOCADO, where I raise a hypothesis that intrigues me: wouldn't we, in the end, be mere food for the trees? I mean this in the sense that, when we died, if we were not buried, we would result in fertilizer for the vegetation.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/18/2022 7:15:00 PM

Yes, indeed, Marco. Yes, indeed. I also dared raise the somewhat whimsical questions to hold the readers' attention to the last line, which I fear I may not have phrased strongly enough.

Jenna Logan

Date: 5/18/2022 4:15:00 PM

Interesting things to ponder but I doubt we’ll ever know for sure.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/18/2022 7:15:00 PM

Hi Jenna. Thanks for your read and your thoughtful response. See what I wrote to Marco.

Robert Gorelick

Date: 5/18/2022 4:12:00 PM

It seems that flora and fauna, communicate and get along better with each other than we homo sapiens. Thought provoking free verse Milton. Robert

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/18/2022 7:16:00 PM

Thank you so much, Robert. There is, I suspect, a great deal of truth in your response to my poem. I appreciate and respect your thoughts, too.