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The Dispatcher

Foggy mists slither through the highlands As downdrafts force them to the riverbanks To the naked eye ethereal warm icicles Among tow’ring long-needle pines piercing sky From the other side near the rustic cabin The yawning night watchman waits the 7:30 Preparing to hand off the latest dispatches in A leather satchel, the hook catching its strap The silent river valley comes alive screeching Then wanes to deadly silence, the fog lifting As he prepares to hand over to the day shift Driving the winding road home, sleepy-eyed written October 29, 2021

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Gershon Wolf

Date: 10/30/2021 8:41:00 PM

This is a stirring portrait, Milt. 'Ordinary people' doing most extraordinary things! True heroes, as are you for penning this so well. Right into my FAVES. Bravo, Gershon

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/30/2021 8:59:00 PM

Thanks so much, Gershon. Wow, I'm glad you really enjoyed it.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 10/30/2021 3:23:00 PM

This is a slice of life I no longer feel that I have missed.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/30/2021 6:43:00 PM

Ah thanks, Caren. It was a most memorable experience for me as a teenager.

Delice Arleen Skelly

Date: 10/30/2021 3:00:00 AM

Very descriptive read, nicely done...Delice

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/30/2021 10:11:00 AM

Thanks, Delice. I hope you could hear the train screeching past and the sudden stillness after it moved on. It was such an experience for me as a teenager.

Shirley Hawkins

Date: 10/29/2021 8:51:00 PM

Another beauty...

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/29/2021 8:53:00 PM

Thank you so much, Shirley. This poem grew out of a night spent along the tracks in the river valley. The dispatcher was our youth leader at church. I'll always savor the memory.

Tom Cunningham

Date: 10/29/2021 11:31:00 AM

Loved your nostalgic write Milton and your stunning imagery. Tom

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/29/2021 11:52:00 AM

Thanks, Tom. The dispatcher was the leader of our church group when I was a teenager. He took me to work with him one night, and it was an unforgetable experience. I think that is the genesis of this poem.

Sam Kauffman

Date: 10/29/2021 11:10:00 AM

Milt, this is so vividly descriptive. Your impactful images tell the story. I enjoyed this very much.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/29/2021 11:53:00 AM

Sam, I could picture this so easily in my mind from a boyhood experience. Thanks for your thoughts.