L Milton Hankins | + Follow Poet |
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Love Lost, Love Found

I stood at the edge of hopelessness,
Losing my son when my ex-wife left
My spirit was at its lowest ebb, I confess.

I could only imagine the loss of his smiles,
I can honestly say, I was completely bereft
Separated from him by hundreds of miles.

My ex- knew nothing of parental cooperation,
She was filled with meanness and revenge 
Adam was the real victim of the separation.

Soon she was remarried, making a new life,
But I longed for a relationship with my son
Free from the vindictiveness of my ex-wife.

Twenty-three years later, I met my son,
He was no longer under his mother’s care
His relationship with her was over and done.

In her desire to shut me out of his life
Promoting a rift that ultimately failed
She became the victim of her own strife.

Adam and I are close as we can possibly be
And, we have recovered much of the past
Nothing could ever separate him from me,
For I have found in him a love that will last.

Written March 19, 2022
[tercets with a closing quatrain]

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2022

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Connie Marcum Wong Date: 4/2/2022 10:45:00 AM It is wonderful that you were able to reunite and your son knows how much you always cared. You never know how long you will have to be together. I certainly miss my son. Blessings xxoo Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 4/2/2022 11:24:00 AM Connie, I know you do. I remember. Thanks so much for your thoughtful response to my poem. I understand.

Shirley Hawkins Date: 3/19/2022 10:51:00 PM How lovely that you are together again. Better late than never. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/20/2022 8:51:00 AM Thanks, Shirley. That is so true!

Caren Krutsinger Date: 3/19/2022 7:21:00 PM This is the best love story; I am glad that both you and Adam made your escape! Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/19/2022 8:30:00 PM Me, too. It made for some rough years, I can tell you.

Malabika Ray Choudhury Date: 3/19/2022 5:24:00 PM Very very heartfelt and touching, Milton. I almost cried reading the first few lines, but ultimately so happy that you have reunited with your son. A magnificent tale of real life! Best wishes ~ Mala Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/19/2022 6:06:00 PM Mala, thanks so much for reading my story and sharing your feelings with me. I appreciate it so much.

Beryl Edmonds Date: 3/19/2022 1:57:00 PM Nothing or no one can break the bond between a father and son, so pleased you are reunited and have found endless love. A treasure of a poem… Belle Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/19/2022 2:01:00 PM Thank you so much, Belle. For more, read my response to Eve. What you have written is definitely true. My son and I have many things in common and are very much alike in personality even though I had little to do with his upbringing. He was two years old when we divorced. We were both amazed at our common interests, and our wives have often conferred with each other on how to "handle" us. (chuckling)

Eve Roper Date: 3/19/2022 1:51:00 PM A deep write, Milt. It doesn't matter what a parent does they always will look for you. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 3/19/2022 1:59:00 PM Thanks, Eve. Adam is now in his fifties! That all happened a very long time ago, and I went on to be married to Deb, my second wife (we had no children) for thirty-five years. Interestingly, if I had not married my first wife, I never would have met Deb some ten years later! And, if I had not married my first wife, I would not have had my wonderful son! Life is strange...complex, isn't it?