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I Sat By the Riverbank

I sat by the riverbank today and wondered How long it takes the water to get to the Gulf Considered things my inquisitive mind ponders Like what is so enjoyable about playing golf? Save for an afternoon stroll, I see few merits Especially since my back has developed kinks My bag of clubs, the works, my son will inherit While I spend afternoons catching forty winks. I sat by the riverbank today and wondered If those barges ever break loose in rebellion, [Since their burden is a product plundered], And run amok like some undisciplined hellion. I suspect I should beware of my mind adrift For, at my age, questioning can embarrass, Although the soothing water gives me a lift A day like this spent idling is simply fabulous. BRONZE MEDAL WINNER Written April 12, 2022 "Anything Goes" Poetry Contest All Poetry April 19, 2022

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Mike Gentile

Date: 4/14/2022 10:22:00 AM

To sit and think by the river sounds marvelous Milt! I like your words and your thoughts! Happy Thursday !!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/14/2022 11:23:00 AM

Aw, thanks so much, Mike. I just got home from the hospital. Was in overnight. Had chest pain, etc. Had a heart cath. They found two blockages in stents they could not repair, so they put me on some more medicine. Gotta keep those pharma guys in business! Ha! Mike, I hope you're having a fine week.

Sara Kendrick

Date: 4/13/2022 11:05:00 AM

It is nice to have a day to be able to ponder a few things sort of turn them over in our minds or maybe they get trapped down in a deep rut of the brain then what. Enjoyed reading your work. Sara

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/14/2022 11:30:00 AM

Thank you so much, Sara, for your thoughtful comment on my poem.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 4/13/2022 10:53:00 AM

Mind 'adrift?' - 'Soothing water gives it a lift!' Wonderful! No better place to go than to H2O! ~ A believer

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/14/2022 11:31:00 AM

Thanks, gw. I do love to sit by the river and watch the water and the boats go by. Reminds me of Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn.

Marco Chies

Date: 4/12/2022 6:24:00 PM

A pleasant poem, uncompromising, light and at the same time full of incredible images. Thank you Milton.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/12/2022 7:23:00 PM

Thank you so much, Marco. It was a relaxing write, I must say. I appreciate your read and your thoughts.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 4/12/2022 1:08:00 PM

I am glad that you are having such a marvelous day my friend!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/12/2022 1:51:00 PM

I am having a wonderful day, Caren, but this poem is total fiction. Although, I have sat by the riverbank and had these very thoughts. I'm still wondering if a physicist could calculate how long it takes the water (the same water) to travel from Ashland to New Orleans. I'm intrigued by this.