L Milton Hankins | + Follow Poet |
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Thankful For Being Alive

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. Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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! Login to Reply 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) Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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.. Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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" - Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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.