L Milton Hankins Poet Quatrain

On Losing Everything

Losing everything I have is repugnant to me,
I’m thinking of a natural disaster, flood, or fire
How traumatic losing everything would be,
I can think of nothing so debilitating or dire.

I empathize with those who lose their home,
Especially quickly by a flash flood or a tornado,
It would surely leave one with a PTSD syndrome
Where everything dear is not even a shadow.

Still I do not think of myself as being materialistic
Things can always be replaced, but life not so,
Better to talk damages than to be a grim statistic
For a structure can be built up from ground zero.

One never recovers, however, from loss of life
Taken swiftly in the most horrible of circumstance,
Friend, family member, beloved husband or wife
In a situation one might think of as pure chance. 

Written July 20, 2022

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Ann Foster July 13, 2022 at 1:25 PM never recovers... I agree. God helps us get through, but we are changed. This is a well-written poem. Ann L Milton Hankins July 13, 2022 at 3:46 PM Thanks so much, Ann. I agree with you. I'm sure the resilience that most people have gets them through, but they are changed forever in their ways of thinking, I'm sure.

Caren Krutsinger July 11, 2022 at 8:57 PM The rebuilding of "losing everything" has helped many people re-prioritize what is important. I am not relishing the possibility, but there has been some good that arrived on the heels of devastation. L Milton Hankins July 12, 2022 at 7:48 AM I think you're right about this, Caren. I can certainly see it.

Gershon Wolf July 10, 2022 at 7:16 PM The psychology of 'losing everything' can be devastating --- or liberating. Depends on the circumstances... E.g., I myself lost everything literally overnight in December of 1987. I won't go into the details, but it was liberating for me... You never can tell in life. :) gw L Milton Hankins July 10, 2022 at 7:18 PM Well, I'd say you were an exceptional case, gw, but without knowing the circumstances (and I am not asking for them) it is hard to assess. I'm sure you would agree. I'm glad you came through with flying colors.

Jeff Kyser July 10, 2022 at 5:17 AM I agree. We've built a home, and it is chock-full of stuff that brings memories, but ultimately, it is just "stuff". L Milton Hankins July 10, 2022 at 9:09 AM I came to feel that way when Deb passed away, Jeff. As I went through her "stuff" I realized that none of it was really her and that nothing could replace her.

Tom Cunningham July 10, 2022 at 1:11 AM You often see that on the news with folks losing everything but things can be replaced, unlike life. Tom L Milton Hankins July 10, 2022 at 9:12 AM So true, Tom. And still, it is always so heartbreaking.