L Milton Hankins | + Follow Poet |
Free verse | + Fav Poem | Comment | Email | Print |

Like 'Let 'Er Rip'

Like a block of ice in a refrigerator car full of Chicago meats
     I have a role to play,
          an important purpose, and
               limited time to be fully functional.
Like fourth chair, fourth clarinet in the Boston philharmonic
     I have a note to sound,
          a reason for being, and
               without me the chord is incomplete.
Like the words that flow unmetered, unrhymed in free verse
     I have messages to send,
          a legitimate place in poetry, and
               require a patient reader.

EIGHT PLACE WINNER
Written June 22, 2021
For “Let ‘er Rip No. 3” Poetry Contest
Sponsored by John Lawless

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2021

Please Login to post a comment

Juliet Ligon Date: 7/16/2021 8:33:00 AM We all have our unique style and purpose. Interesting comparisons. Congratulations! Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/16/2021 10:38:00 AM Thanks you so much, Juliet, for your thoughtful and kind comment on my poem.

Terry Flood Date: 7/11/2021 3:58:00 PM Congrats on your win, Milt. A special kind of message in your words for all of us. Terry Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/11/2021 7:26:00 PM Thank you, Terry, for your thoughtful comment. Your reads and comments mean a lot to me.

John Lawless Date: 7/11/2021 1:00:00 PM and a time sensitive endeavor with a "melting point"....love this metaphoric take on poetry and poetic purpose. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/11/2021 1:17:00 PM John, I really appreciate your comments. Thanks!

Rama Balasubramanian Date: 7/11/2021 11:10:00 AM WoW! This is so beautiful. Congratulations on your well deserved win Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/11/2021 11:22:00 AM Thank you, Rama. I really appreciate your thoughts.

Sam Kauffman Date: 7/11/2021 9:17:00 AM Congratulations on your win Milt. Wonderful analogies of the unique and necessary role each of us is gifted with by God. It reminds me of the statement from Esther "for such a time as this." Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/11/2021 10:05:00 AM Thanks so much, Sam.

Paula Goldsmith Date: 7/11/2021 8:36:00 AM Congratulations on your win. I love your line, "I have messages to send." You are sending out wonderful messages. Keep up the great work. Enjoy your win/Sunday with blessings......... Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/11/2021 10:05:00 AM Paula, I thank you so much for your thoughtful comments.

Brian Sambourne Date: 7/11/2021 8:34:00 AM Hello Milton, From your opening creative simile, your poem resonates strongly with me. Let your words continue to flow, Milton, so that we hear your messages, unteethered. Congratulations on your fine contest entry. Brian Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/11/2021 9:10:00 AM Thanks so much, Brian. Appreciate your comment.

Christuraj Alex Date: 7/11/2021 7:43:00 AM Well written. Congratulations! Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 7/11/2021 9:11:00 AM Thanks, Christuraj. I always appreciate hearing from you.

Gershon Wolf Date: 6/23/2021 6:43:00 PM This packs a great punch, Milt. That first stanza hearkens back to the 'City of Big Shoulders...' Peace, gw Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 6/23/2021 7:10:00 PM Thanks, Gershon. I hope it does well in the contest. I didn't understand your reference "City of Big Shoulders" until I looked it up. Yeah, Chicago!...and meat-packing!

Evelyn Judy Buehler Date: 6/22/2021 8:26:00 PM I love this, Milton. It's an impressive contest entry. Best wishes for a win, my friend. :) Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 6/22/2021 8:31:00 PM Well, thank you, Evelyn. How very kind of you to say. Well, I'll hope for the best.