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Thankful For Being Alive

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["Thankful for Being Alive" started out as a triolet (the first stanza), but lent itself so well to another stanza using many of the same lines, but with an appropriate finishing line, which turned it into a sonnet. Perhaps, I have inadvertently invented a new poetic form--the trionet?]

The clouds have swallowed the sun again The birds are not singing, bees in the hive, Another dismal day of gray, promising rain The clouds have swallowed the sun again A song I have been humming has no refrain Their roots sodden my plants do not thrive The clouds have swallowed the sun again The birds are not singing, bees in the hive. Another dismal day of gray, promising rain The clouds have swallowed the sun again A song I have been humming has no refrain Their roots sodden my plants do not thrive The birds are not singing, bees in the hive Still, I can always be thankful for being alive. written June 1, 2021

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Curtis Johnson

Date: 7/1/2021 6:42:00 AM

What's not to like? Very creative. Great job. Blessings.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 7/1/2021 7:22:00 AM

Thanks so much, Curtis. Your thoughtful comment is very much appreciated.

Charles Messina

Date: 6/20/2021 4:58:00 AM

Great write, Milton. An interesting form...I like it! Thanks also, for your recent comments...much appreciated! Stay well my friend. All the very best...Charlie

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/20/2021 8:30:00 AM

Thanks so much for your read and your kind comment, Charlie. Hope you're having a fine weekend!

Reason A. Poteet

Date: 6/12/2021 12:59:00 AM

Lovely piece, L. Milton. You describe the rainy days, we've experienced for the last two weeks. The flowers are growing except for my lilies which need more sun; their buds are opening ever so slowly. A model piece for your new form, trionet. I created one called a reasonnet, several years ago.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/12/2021 8:37:00 AM

Thanks so much, Reason. I didn't realize I was inventing anything until it happened! I enjoy writing them, though. Thanks so much for your kind thoughts and encouraging note.

Anisha Dutta

Date: 6/11/2021 5:14:00 AM

I love Triolet because of its repeated lines that reduce labor to compose. For the same reason I am liking Trionet also. Have fun.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/11/2021 7:58:00 AM

Thanks so much, Anisha. I hope you will write one for my contest.

Jan Allison

Date: 6/7/2021 10:53:00 AM

what a fascinating form you have created Milton i am not a huge fan of the triolet but may give this contest a go:-) hugs Jan xx

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/8/2021 11:15:00 AM

Go for it, Jan. It's kind of fun!

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/4/2021 3:18:00 PM

by the way, the idea of the clouds swallowing the sun is really awesome!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/8/2021 11:15:00 AM

Thanks, Andrea. It just seems they do when I am cloud-watching.

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 6/4/2021 3:17:00 PM

I really like the poem AND this form you have created. Yes, you have crested a NEW form. Congratulations!! A little thought, when you give the rhyme scheme of stanza two, you have put the second A rhyme as the first one instead of vice versa. Does that matter? what I am trying to say is the first line with rhyme "a" "The clouds have swallowed the sun again" appears AFTER "Another dismal day of gray, promising rain" (yet it does work out since it appears after line 3 as well as first in stanza 1)

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/8/2021 11:14:00 AM

Hey, Andrea, I think you are right, but I'll have to study it a bit more. In rhyme schemes, the cap and small letter business always confuses me. Actually, I don't think it matters. Just not sure. Thanks for the tip. I really appreciate it.

Jenna Logan

Date: 6/3/2021 7:07:00 AM

Too often we take so much for granted. Your Trionet is a gentle reminder to be grateful for all the things we have and life itself. Well written, Milt.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/3/2021 8:23:00 AM

Thanks for your thoughtful comment, Jenna. I hope you will enter my contest, too.

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 6/3/2021 6:43:00 AM

Yes. So thankful. And, Thankful for your example poem. Love it. God bless you always, Love, Gina

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/3/2021 8:22:00 AM

Thanks so much, Gina. I hope you will enter my contest.

Joanna Daniel

Date: 6/2/2021 9:54:00 PM

Oh yeah, thankful for being alive when so many around us are dying, even the grey atmosphere inspired you to write a wonderful poem, Milton:) but I will not try your trionet contest as I have trouble with iambic pentameter..

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/2/2021 9:56:00 PM

I'm not going to be strict about the iambic pentameter, Jo, so feel free to write it with a rhythm that pleases you. Thanks for the read and your thoughtful comment.

Beata Agustin

Date: 6/2/2021 7:50:00 PM

Indeed, being thankful is our response to the Lord for enabling us to live again. Thanks for sharing this, exemplifying what your contest requires. God bless you.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/2/2021 7:52:00 PM

Thank you so much, Beata, for your thoughtful, upbeat comment on my poem. I'm so glad you read it. Blessings!

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 6/2/2021 3:12:00 AM

At the times I am thankful for being alive this always happens to me also - "A song I have been humming has no refrain" -

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/2/2021 8:46:00 AM

Yep, it does happen. This is one of my very favorite poems that I've ever written. I've tried to work on the "trionet" idea, but I can't get another one to work like this. Drats!

Ruby Kelly

Date: 6/1/2021 10:58:00 AM

Wow, Milton. This poem is so poignant. I am in love with it... there are truly so many things to be happy about in life even when the world gets you down. Love this. - Ruby.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 6/1/2021 11:14:00 AM

Thanks so much for your warm and thoughtful comments on my poem, Ruby. They are much appreciated.