Home » Poems » L Milton Hankins » Literary Abortions

Literary Abortions

My wastebasket overflows with aborted attempts, Lines that I cannot rhyme and syntax that limps. Written November 6, 2022 Submitted to "Bite Size No. 55" Poetry Contest Sponsored by Line Gauthier

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Maurice Rigoler

Date: 11/8/2022 9:14:00 AM

I usually trash my bad poems long before they have life on their own. As Germans say: "Aus dem augen, aus dem Sinn." (Out of sight, out of mind.) / Maurice

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 11/7/2022 2:02:00 PM

I have that same problemo - so many ideas torn up or crumpled up and stomped on it is nuts!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/7/2022 2:20:00 PM

I've started storing some of them, hoping they'll see the light of day after a while. Some are pretty good, just don't seem to jell at this point.

Arlo Parker

Date: 11/7/2022 1:15:00 PM

I prefer stepping stones to abortions. That positive vibe is essential to poetic sanity. Little piece, big message. ~;o)

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/7/2022 1:19:00 PM

So be it, Arlo. Thanks for your thoughts and your comment.

Terry Flood

Date: 11/7/2022 11:41:00 AM

I’ll bet my waste basket is bigger than yours, Milt. I’ve got poems I can’t finish, poems that seem pointless, poems where the rhyme is strained, and my latest problem… poems I can’t think of a title for. And you said all of that in less words than I. Good one. Terry

Terry Flood
Date: 11/7/2022 2:09:00 PM

I wrote a Limerick about an owl. Not brilliant but okay. Was gonna post it but didn’t want to just call it ‘Owl’. Of course, if I posted it now, the anti climax would be tangible.;-)

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/7/2022 12:09:00 PM

(chuckling) Thanks, Terry. I'm happy to know that I'm not the only one!

Becky Forbes

Date: 11/7/2022 5:55:00 AM

Do you ever start and then think "where is this going?" only to be surprised by the journey 'cuz in the end it makes sense? It's like building a plane mid-flight.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/7/2022 8:18:00 AM

Actually, no, Becky. Most ideas just pop into my head rather unexpectedly, and I write them down.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 11/6/2022 10:47:00 PM

Lol, good one Milton, for every poem we should plant a tree. Tom

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/7/2022 8:18:00 AM

Thanks, Tom. In my case, I'd have a forest!

Sally Eslinger

Date: 11/6/2022 9:08:00 PM

Promise me you. Won’t change your mind and put this marvelous piece in that wastebasket? It speaks for most of us 8-)

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/6/2022 9:10:00 PM

Thank you, Sally. Nope. I thought it was worth posting.