Insult

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

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

Date: 6/30/2021 11:13:00 PM

Ooh so vivid; I want to read it over and over. A FAVE now.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 7/1/2021 7:44:00 AM

Thanks, Caren. I think this is one of my most complex poems ever.

Sally Eslinger

Date: 6/30/2021 1:21:00 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
Date: 6/30/2021 2:20:00 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

Date: 6/30/2021 9:52:00 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
Date: 6/30/2021 10:00:00 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

Date: 6/29/2021 10:21:00 PM

Great imagery in this sad and gripping poem, Milton. Kindest regards, Evelyn

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/30/2021 9:15:00 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.