Home » Poems » L Milton Hankins » Sycamore Sentry

Sycamore Sentry

A huge, magnificent sycamore stands Like a sentry overlooking my yard As towering proof that nature demands A posture unknown to human regard It is my home’s elegant bodyguard. I fear a tornado’s fierce straight-line wind Will bring this tree to an undesired end, Toss it like a toothpick over the fence Snapping it off because it does not bend Trimming it back certainly makes good sense. THIRD PLACE WINNER Written October 16, 2022 [10 ten-syllable lines - PS Checker Rhyme scheme ababbccdcd] Submitted to "Dizain - Nature-Themed" Poetry Contest Sponsored by Sotto Poet

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Sara Kendrick

Date: 11/7/2022 12:28:00 PM

The sycamore tree is a magnificent species for sure. We never know what one will do in certain circumstances in nature. I always think about Zacchaeus from the Bible when I see one. Congratulations on this one being on the winners' list. Way to go. Sara

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/7/2022 1:21:00 PM

Thanks so much, Sara. Yes, I do, too. I'm not sure they grow as large as mine are over in the Holy Land. I suppose they do. Glad you enjoyed the poem.

Terry Miller

Date: 11/6/2022 7:38:00 AM

Lovely poem superb meter, congratulations!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/6/2022 8:26:00 AM

Thanks so much, Terry. I appreciate the read and the comment.

Christuraj Alex

Date: 11/6/2022 5:19:00 AM

Beatification of the Sycamore, indeed! Congratulations!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/6/2022 8:27:00 AM

Thanks, Chris.

Sotto Poet

Date: 11/5/2022 8:32:00 AM

Congratulations on your wonderful win in my contest, Milt. You have composed such an excellent poem.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 11/5/2022 8:48:00 AM

Thank you so much, Sotto Poet. I enjoyed writing for your contest.

Michael Tor

Date: 10/17/2022 3:51:00 PM

A great Sentry it makes Milton lets hope those winds stay away...

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/17/2022 5:44:00 PM

Indeed! If that tree ever goes over, someone's home will be trashed.

Rico Leffanta

Date: 10/17/2022 11:21:00 AM

My daughter's backyard is home to an huge ancient oak tree prone to crush her home by wind, drought, flood, earthquake, etc., but it is a designated tree so can not be pruned, trimmed, nor removed under California's laws. Aloha!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/17/2022 12:28:00 PM

Long gone are the days when you were in charge of your own backyard!

Jenna Logan

Date: 10/17/2022 9:52:00 AM

Your concern for Nature's sycamore is touching, and I understand the angst you felt over the cutting of a healthy magnolia near you. I had the same reaction when the new owners cut down a 15-foot Blue Spruce when I sold them my house. That was a wretched thing to have done to such a beautiful specimen.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/17/2022 9:56:00 AM

Thanks, Jenna. I can't believe anyone would be so brain-dead as to cut down a 15-foot Blue Spruce! What do these people think?

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 10/17/2022 12:24:00 AM

"It is my home’s elegant bodyguard." I like your imagery; I can see it there, daring a tornado.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/17/2022 8:09:00 AM

Seems like it does, Caren. I cringe, thinking it will snap and fall over on a neighbor's house.

Shirley Hawkins

Date: 10/16/2022 11:55:00 PM

It reminded me of the song that Paul Robson sung, "I think that I shall never see, a poem as lovely as a tree" or words to that effect. one of my favourites. Thank you, Milt, for the memory.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/17/2022 8:10:00 AM

Are you thinking of the famous poem, Shirley?

Jeff Kyser

Date: 10/16/2022 8:11:00 PM

Fwiw, Bubba likes the the regular meter of the 10 syllable lines, and I like the sycamore tree :-)

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/16/2022 9:24:00 PM

Thank you, Jeff. This incredibly beautiful tree, which has stood where it is for much longer than this neighborhood has existed, has never been trimmed. If I were younger, I believe I would trim it back. At my age, I think I'm going to let her stand as she is until...whatever. My house does provide a sort of barrier to the tree from the winds, and she has withstood many a violent storm since I've been here, so I'm thinking I'll let it be as nature wishes. It nearly killed me when neighbors cut down a gorgeous magnolia tree at the end of the block. Why? I haven't the faintest idea. I can't imagine why they did that.