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Notes About The Poem

A poet friend returned to the soup after years of cruising the seas. I wrote him…I've been thinking about you lately & your last posts, especially your commentaries around the time we lost our poet friend Lewis Milton Hankins. God bless him. You were there, as I was, his last poems, informing us that he would be going away to his favorite place, Mexico! Vallarta in fact. Remember? I'm going to post poems in memory of Milton, if you would like to contribute a tribute in his honor. Stay safe on your journey out at sea poet! Ahoy matie. This lead to the tributes to Milton.

My Favorite Poet On Poetry Soup 12/8/22

Dedicated to his…11/22/2022 My Innards Squirm

Other tributes of mine an elegy

Ashes On the Snow by LM Hankins

A Memory Tree For Milton 1/7/2023 Epitaph

St Milt's Culinary Mission 1/9/2023

Grand Opening On Mlk Day 1/15/2023

L Milton Hankins

"My indestructible faith will always keep me free,

Until with God and loved ones I shall forever be"—LM Hankins

My Favorite Poet of Poetry Soup

My Favorite Poet of Poetry Soup
was a poem quite silly I wrote,
a contest I entered for the poetry group
It won second place, an inspiring race
All about another poet's quill and grace.
Milton got a laugh, of what would unfurl
And I was content to share with the world
A quirky me who just got onto the scene
Many asked how I got that flattering pic unseen
I purchased his book “Ashes On The Snow”  I left a review! 
It was summer, when he posted a blog about his book I knew
Awe, handsome and a gentleman
It was money well spent, 
We shared the same politics,
And we laughed at Robert’s limericks
He had a place in my heart
that was only the start,
He was mentor as well
Milt specialized in the Villanelle
Once again, Milton Hankins, I wish you farewell. —I Am Anaya


I’m confident that those here in poetry soup
who knew Milton found him to be a man of great humanity,
decency and polished.
Endowed with an abundance of candid sincerity
Who was not one to shy away from controversy
When words of justice and empathy were called for
He not just heard, but listened with undivided attention.
He was a deeply religious man who knew us all as children of God
With our worth not defined by our possessions but by our character
He was genuine.
The real deal.
I believe to a great extent that PS lost its moral compass
When it lost Milton.
Rest in Peace, your light still shines. —Robert Gorelick

farewellmentormiss yourememberrhyme

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Duke Beaufort

January 6, 2026 at 11:16 AM

Anaya, paying tribute as you do is an indication of something wonderful in your own soul. Many thanks for this example of kindness and humility. Milt would likely smile!

I Am Anaya

January 6, 2026 at 12:10 PM

Your kind words remain in my heart. In my world you come today, sharing your thoughts on what Milt would think. Yes, Milton was a modest fellow, and didn't think he deserved a tribute, hoping not to embarrass the poet, just having fun, like he once did. I thank you for that. Smiles back!

Linda Alice Fowler

January 1, 2026 at 7:23 AM

Touching memory of Milt. A gentleman, a mentor, and a friend to so many. Thank you Anaya. :)

I Am Anaya

January 2, 2026 at 10:01 AM

Sara Kendrick

December 31, 2025 at 5:05 AM

Sorry to learn of his passing. I did like reading his works. I think COVID changed so many things for so many people. Sara K

I Am Anaya

December 31, 2025 at 10:31 AM

When there is loss of a partner, a friend, a wife, the heart pangs for them as Milton’s did for his. It was PS that eased him through his hardship, I read. But the heart gives in, Covid may have proved a factor, I don’t know. I do know that Milton was a staunch supporter of vaccinations and was all in on the Covid-19 vaccine. He wrote of the millions of lives inoculations have saved in the US alone. We had that in common. Milton: “My wife Deborah of 35 years died November 22, 2018. In the years since her death, I have been very active on the Poetry Soup.” Ty, Sara for your wonderful visits, & hopefully more to come in the new year. Happy New Year! ~

Joe Maverick

December 29, 2025 at 11:59 PM

A heartfelt and honourable Poem Anaya.' All blessings.)

I Am Anaya

December 30, 2025 at 9:08 AM

Ty Joe! Our political views aligned as well as his views on religion. The poet has 33 columns of poetry!

Paige Hind

December 29, 2025 at 6:14 PM

I did not know him, but may he rest in peace. Sounds like a great guy. :)

I Am Anaya

December 30, 2025 at 7:49 AM

Posting around ten poems daily, kept an avatar of his face on homepage. A feature PS had at the time. It was a sad thing to watch it slowly step down & off the page. ,)

Gershon Wolf

December 28, 2025 at 7:48 PM

So touching, Anaya. So moving. So long, Milt. We had our disagreements, but a basic respect for the other person underlay our little spats. ~ gw

I Am Anaya

December 29, 2025 at 11:32 AM

His respect mutual, I can’t speak for him, I can quote him. In his last days he was seeking amends with poets with differences, even under attack, the name calling (nincompoop) became infamous. TyVm Gershon. Politics wonder down that hurtful roadway. Maybe it’s the fancy of a lunatic, as I too had such dreams with many whose politics aren’t the same as mine are, you GW know the passion God inserts in us to fight for what is right.

I Am Anaya

December 29, 2025 at 11:32 AM

Milton represented a time when political deference's didn't spell the end of friendship. Even Kennedy & Goldwater had a friendly rivalry back in the day. At his core he was a sincere & decent man. Decency, I believe, is the highest quality for which one can aspire. He exuded more light than heat, where other's would rather snuff out the light. He admitted that words were his one addiction & poetry his passion. He took umbrage at what was said, never took rude potshots. He may not have been edgy & avant garde, but his sharp mind & kind soul assured a fine legacy & inspiration to many who knew him, in the presence at PS & his intimate service in his community. :)

Robert Gorelick

December 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM

Anaya, Milton and I were both History buffs. He informed us he was born on December 5, 1941--just two days before Pearl Harbor was attacked. Looking at current events through the sharp lens of history, and not the smudged window of ignorance, made PS a smarter and more empathetic toward what we were experiencing. As a minister, he often tended to those in their most vulnerable ad dire times. His Experience, Empathy and Enlightened approach to life served to nourish the spirits to all who knew him. In the end he let us know he had no regrets, only thanks for what he had been given, and optimism for what a better future held in store.

I Am Anaya

December 28, 2025 at 12:27 PM

Milton: One of my favorites from JSS. I have played this hundreds of times, even as a prelude for church services. No one ever criticized it. It is a gorgeous melody! I have always included it in recitals, too. [Jesus Christ Superstar]. He was a minister who played the organ, a skilled organist who loved "I Don't Know How To Love Him" which is what he was referring to. I had mentioned that my Aunt Olivia was an organist at her church in Berkely, CA. where she was residing till her death. Her daughter Nora, my cousin committed the suicide act. Oliva's courage & organ playing helped her stay true to her faith. "Nora" 10/21/2023 column (4) https://www.poetrysoup.com/poem/nora_1587560 TyVm, for your contribution, Robert...I teared up when I read yours!