Home » Poems » L Milton Hankins » Longing For My Mountain Home

Longing For My Mountain Home

Purple mountains, majestic against an azure sky,
Rise to greet the passing rain-filled nimbus clouds
Above the verdant forests along the canyon rim,
Where sparrow hawks and other birds of prey drift
The surging updrafts from the river valley far below.
Rays of the sun find paths through thick pine stands
And glint from the silver stanchions of the bridge,
Hover over the pensive grandeur of the scenic view.

I long for my home near the edge of the park lands
Where wildflowers bloomed next to our cottage there,
And memories accumulated over the ensuing years
Continually bring me back to childhood adventures,
So free, so happy-go-lucky, during hot summer days
In the wild, wonderful wilderness of West Virginia.

Originally written July 5, 2021
Edited for All Poetry.com
Chosen as Cover Poem for All Poetry.com
March 18, 2022

FIRST PLACE WINNER
Brian Strand 1096 Poetry Contest
March 20, 2022

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

Christuraj Alex

Date: 3/20/2022 5:21:00 AM

Great and memorable. Beautifully written. Congratulations!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/20/2022 8:43:00 AM

Thank you so much, Chris. I appreciate your comment.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 3/19/2022 8:09:00 PM

Love your descriptions of your childhood home, Milt. Your body may have relocated, but your heart and soul are clearly at home in West Virginny! :) gw

L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/19/2022 8:21:00 PM

Indeed they are, gw. And, I don't live that far away. Within a couple of hours I can be up in the hills.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 3/19/2022 7:22:00 PM

This makes me want to head toward your land and see the country you live in!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/19/2022 7:38:00 PM

Ah, I'm writing here about West Virginia, not Kentucky. Although we have some pretty country here in Kentucky, nothing is as beautiful as the West Virginia hills. I'll never get too far away from the Appalachians!

Mike Gentile

Date: 3/19/2022 6:50:00 AM

Milt, It sounds such a beautiful place to grow up and to have made such memories! I am a product of the concrete jungle and i love my memories as well though very, very different! Your word choice and creative imagery makes it easy for me to imagine!! Happy Saturday!!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/19/2022 8:35:00 AM

Mike, I always appreciate hearing from you. Thanks for your thoughts on my poem. Yes, West Virginia is a lovely state, and I will always be grateful I was raised in the mountains...those West Virginia hills so majestic and grand. Happy Saturday to you, Mike. I hope you have a wonderful weekend.