L Milton Hankins Poet Quatorzain

Poems I Like, and Poems I Don'T

Cursed be the poem I cannot understand,
Cursed be the poet whose words flee like a swarm
All poems should be intelligible, even without a scan
I have no time into passable grammar to transform.
Nor do I enjoy reading with thesaurus in my hand
I like poems which make my aching heart warm,
I don’t mind a poem that is ardently partisan
I don’t even mind a poem that doesn’t conform.
An exceptional poem is usually one that is planned,
A poem that is structured in a recognizable form,
Don’t care for poems which put down woman or man
And enjoy most a story, one the poet might perform.
I like those poems which make me think, “I can!”
From the soul of the poet, they are clearly formed. 

Written June 1, 2022

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Unseeking Seeker July 4, 2022 at 8:36 AM My sentiments, exactly! L Milton Hankins July 4, 2022 at 10:18 AM Thank you so much, Unseeking Seeker. I appreciate your affirmative comment.

Sally Eslinger June 2, 2022 at 6:41 AM Yes. I, too, like poets speaking with respect for the language and from heart to heart enough to inspire thought, which you certainly did here (while I listen to Vivaldi). Have a blessed day! xoxo! sally L Milton Hankins June 2, 2022 at 9:32 AM Thanks so much, Sally. I enjoyed hearing from you today.

Caren Krutsinger June 2, 2022 at 3:50 AM "Nor do I enjoy reading with thesaurus in my hand" - as for me, I like an occasional "mystery" word but not ten in one poem! L Milton Hankins June 2, 2022 at 10:14 AM That's how I feel, too. I don't mind one, because my vocabulary grows, but lines filled with words I never heard of is simply booring. I just move on.

Ilene Bauer June 1, 2022 at 3:57 PM i agree, milton! i am a devoted reader of The New Yorker, a well-respected magazine, but i rarely understand (or enjoy) the poems included. i have no idea what most of them are even about... L Milton Hankins June 1, 2022 at 4:15 PM This is funny, Ilene, because I feel exactly the same way. I used to submit to the New Yorker, but they never liked anything I wrote or anything I liked. I do like the magazine, however. Their poems are dreadful, IMHO.

Tom Cunningham June 1, 2022 at 3:38 PM I couldn't agree more Milton, keep it simple so that folks can understand and enjoy it. I've come across a few and thought mmmm and just move on. Tom L Milton Hankins June 1, 2022 at 4:15 PM Me, too, Tom. Although I admit I do like some of the urban poetry coming out. I treat them like word puzzles I try to figure out.

Kenneth Cheney June 1, 2022 at 1:36 PM I do not disagree with any of your sentiments. I particularly agree with your opening ones. L Milton Hankins June 1, 2022 at 3:00 PM Thank you, Kenneth. On the other, believe me, I was just expressing my likes and dislikes, not expecting anyone to agree with me. Lots of things I do like very much, others would react with raspberries!

Jenna Logan June 1, 2022 at 12:35 PM I know exactly what you mean, Milt. I read one today that was on a winning list, and it seemed to ramble on without plausible content. Mean what ya say and say what ya mean without babbling like a fool, eh? L Milton Hankins June 1, 2022 at 5:15 PM I don't think it's sour grapes when it's the truth! But, that's just my humble opinion. Jenna Logan June 1, 2022 at 5:08 PM I hear ya! And that's not to think we're crying 'sour grapes.' L Milton Hankins June 1, 2022 at 3:03 PM And, quite honestly, it's doubly frustrating when my poem, which is rather good and appropriate isn't on the list! Damn!!! L Milton Hankins June 1, 2022 at 3:02 PM Absolutely. On the other hand, I'd like to believe I give a little latitude to people who are writing English as a second language. Still, I'm thinking, it should be too difficult to find the right word, not just any old word that might work. Right. Thanks, Jenna. I think I read that poem, too.