L Milton Hankins Poet Sonnet

In Praise of Mentors

Deliver me from the arrogance of self-satisfaction
Feeling content in myself, as though I needed no one,
Thinking of others as no more than a distraction
Failing to acknowledge how many helped me run.
Owing gratitude to the many mentors in my life
They share the trophies for victories I’ve won,
Many were there guiding me through the strife,
“No man is an island,” said poet John Dunne.

It’s so easy to boast and say, “I did it my way,”
Few, certainly not me, made the journey alone
Every one of us has many debts in life to pay,
Without a sculptor, we are rough-hewn stone.
So, let’s take a few moments this fine Sunday
Recognizing those who, for us, paved the way.

Written October 23, 2022

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Linda Alice Fowler October 24, 2022 at 8:13 AM Oh so many - not enough fingers and toes to count them. :) I agree with John; some were silently supportive and unnoticed until I grew older and 'wiser'. Nice tribute Milt. L Milton Hankins October 24, 2022 at 9:06 AM Thank you, Linda. This is so true.

Shirley Hawkins October 23, 2022 at 2:54 PM With a bit of help from my friends came to mind as I read your interesting sonnet, Milt. L Milton Hankins October 23, 2022 at 3:24 PM Thanks, Shirley. That is a good song, which expresses so well what I was thinking when I wrote this poem.

John Lawless October 23, 2022 at 2:39 PM ..."Without a sculptor we are rough-hewn stone"....Oh, Ain't it da truth, ain't it da truth....Looking back a had many mentors...some I was aware of and most who only became visible as I grew older and hopefully wiser.....Nice write Milton L Milton Hankins October 23, 2022 at 3:25 PM Thanks, John. I think this is probably true of most of us.