L Milton Hankins Poet Villanelle

If the World Should End Tomorrow

If, by chance, the world should end tomorrow
How would you spend the last day of your life ~~
Either in revelry or regret?  in jubilation or sorrow?

With time cut short, your day becomes staccato
Apologies for everyone whom you caused strife,
If, by chance, the world should end tomorrow.

Perhaps a visit to a sacred and most holy grotto
To commune with the saints about the afterlife
Either in revelry or regret?  in jubilation or sorrow?

No time for entrepreneurial schemes to borrow
No time for the cutting words slicing like a knife
If, by chance the world should end tomorrow.

Interesting, as we’ve no promise for the morrow
Neither breath, nor place, nor space nor heighth
Either in revelry or regret, in jubilation or sorrow.

‘Tis up to us to plow a straight and narrow furrow
To make the most noble, good, and worthwhile rife
If, by chance, the world should end tomorrow
Either in revery or regret? in jubilation or sorrow? 

written April 26, 2022

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Bill Baker April 30, 2022 at 2:46 PM I'd want to spend it writing about life as I've known it with any truth or bit of wisdom that may help someone else along the way. I try to approach each day this way, but those that know me, know I fail more than I succeed. It's okay though, I forgive myself and try again the next day. Life is too short to carry more than a day's burden at a time. Love and let love. Thanks for the fine Villanelle, Milt. You seem very comfortable with this form. A poet friend in Texas, Bill L Milton Hankins April 30, 2022 at 5:03 PM Thank you so much for your wise thoughts, Bill. Yes, I do love the Villanelle.

Bill Baker April 30, 2022 at 2:45 PM I believe in living in the moment as best I can. I see each day as an opportunity to do what I want to do. I think if I knew for sure that tomorrow was my last; I'd try to put my last thoughts to my friends here on poetry soup. L Milton Hankins April 30, 2022 at 5:03 PM This is the best way, but it is difficult to do when each day presents its own unique adversities.

Bj Legros Kelley April 28, 2022 at 12:16 PM This is a masterpiece, Milton. I believe the world would be a better place if we each contemplated your words here. ~BJ L Milton Hankins April 28, 2022 at 12:28 PM Ah, thanks so much for your kind thoughts, BJ. I really appreciate this high praise coming from you.

Caren Krutsinger April 28, 2022 at 2:23 AM I would go to work and play with my students. L Milton Hankins April 28, 2022 at 7:57 AM I'm not at all surprised, Caren. That is who you are!

Tom Cunningham April 26, 2022 at 10:17 PM I'm lucky that all my close family live nearby so would spend those last few hours with them reflecting on the good times we had. Tom PS, the doomsday clock is one hundred seconds to midnight., scary stuff. L Milton Hankins April 27, 2022 at 8:24 AM Yes, it is. I suppose it is inevitable one of these days that some fool like Putin will do the unthinkable. What he's doing in Ukraine show how little regard he has for humanity and how he doesn't hesitate to rain down death and destruction.

Marco Chies April 26, 2022 at 7:03 PM Yes, one of the best poems I've read here on the site. Proud to be your friend! L Milton Hankins April 26, 2022 at 7:45 PM Aw, thanks, Marco. I'm glad you liked the poem, and I am especially proud to be your friend, too.

David Kavanagh April 26, 2022 at 2:30 PM I think this one can only be answered by the beholder Milton, ie, a person that has lived a full life would certainly be more philosophical, than let’s say young parents starting out with dreams for their children's future, nonetheless it’s a wonderful thought provoking poem, cheers David L Milton Hankins April 26, 2022 at 7:46 PM Thanks, David. I certainly appreciate your read and your thoughtful comment.

Jenna Logan April 26, 2022 at 12:27 PM I hoped to live without regrets, but I've found that to be impossible. I'd want to spend my final moments with loved ones, but we don't always get to choose the hour of our demise. You give reason to pause with this one, Milt. L Milton Hankins April 26, 2022 at 12:32 PM Which was precisely what I had in mind, Jenna. After all, I live with it pretty much every day. That's not to say I have mastered the purposeful life, but I do try...and that is the best anyone can aspire to. I have few regrets. No point in lingering on the past, which we cannot alter. Just keep pushing forward, my dear.

Swetha Vangaveti April 26, 2022 at 12:09 PM If only we could live everyday thinking that it's gonna end tomorrow, the world would have been a different place altogether. Peace would flow. On the flip side, would we have tried to progress? Again, my mind is going on a different trip. But this poem is absolutely insightful. L Milton Hankins April 26, 2022 at 12:15 PM Well, thanks so much Swetha. It's so nice that you read my poem and had such a positive reaction.

Kenneth Cheney April 26, 2022 at 11:43 AM Superb, that is what I would say about this poem. The idea that we have no promises for the morrow, should illustrate the point that we might want to choose wisely how we live today. "Either in revery or regret? in jubilation or sorrow? Wonderful line to build the villanelle. Again I say superb! L Milton Hankins April 26, 2022 at 12:16 PM Thanks, Kenneth, so much for your thoughtful comment on the poem. I always appreciate what you have to say, and your comments are very encouraging.