L Milton Hankins Poet Free verse

Notes About The Poem

["Insult" was first published in The Poet - "Peu a Peu," Autumn 1980.]

Insult

That dirty green hearse (the
     first one I'd ever seen)
Mushed through traffic
Like a Notre Dame back
     on a muddy field.
Dripped slush, tears
Aiming straight down
A hollow cheek
     and left to mingle
     unnoticed on concrete,
And flung salty sleet
Bathing me in half-hearted
     insult,
Two miles from no-land
And a scented corpse.


slightly edited June 30, 2021

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Caren Krutsinger June 30, 2021 at 11:13 PM Ooh so vivid; I want to read it over and over. A FAVE now. L Milton Hankins July 1, 2021 at 7:44 AM Thanks, Caren. I think this is one of my most complex poems ever.

Sally Eslinger June 30, 2021 at 1:21 PM So vivid. I felt cold and wanted to change my clothes after reading, like that could restore my dignity… super imagist pen. Take care, sally L Milton Hankins June 30, 2021 at 2:20 PM Thank you, Sally, sort of like I felt after it came into my head and I wrote it. I appreciate your thoughts.

Susan Ashley June 30, 2021 at 9:52 AM Dear Milt, your vibrant pen strokes a vivid scene with sad and scornful imagery. Intense emotions so poetically expressed. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan L Milton Hankins June 30, 2021 at 10:00 AM Thank you, Susan. This poem from long ago came about as a result of my driving behind a hearse on a muddy street on the way to a cemetery. Since I was doing a good deed, it seemed an insult that the hearse splattered my car with mud! I appreciate your compliments. It is a vivid scene, indeed.

Evelyn Judy Buehler June 29, 2021 at 10:21 PM Great imagery in this sad and gripping poem, Milton. Kindest regards, Evelyn L Milton Hankins June 30, 2021 at 9:15 AM Thank you, Evelyn. I know what precipitated my writing the poem, but I have always had great trouble explaining it. I'm glad you found it interesting.