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The Story of Sam

Let me tell you a story about a dog named Sam Sam was a basset hound of most dubious origins He had a huge ugly wart on his back, not so glam, A neighborhood dog, at supper he went about foragin’. Everyone loved Sam with his happy-go-lucky demeanor He always went about his business carefree and gay We always thought no other dog around was keener, Daily with all of us neighborhood kids Sam would play. One day Semp and I were shooting with our slingshots Like country boys then did frequently for fun, But that day ended up with our stomachs in knots So sorry that old Sam did not hear us, get up, and run. We were shooting at crows that were sitting on a fence Not realizing Sam was lying underneath in the shade, And from that point, in my story, everything got tense A stray rock hit Sam while under the fencerow he laid. We heard Sam yelp, watched him draw his last breath, Semp and I tried our best to revive him that afternoon But the damage was done, and we experienced death We buried Sam under the nettles in an old pine grove Our tears flowed freely as we read his canine eulogy, Everyone for miles around, well, Sam was known to love Both Semp and I could never offer a suitable apology. Afterwards, we gave up slingshots, any shooting event, It was never much fun to do from that sad day forward And this is, truthfully, how the tragic story of Sam went. [PET/PETS] FIRST PLACE WINNER written April 16, 2022 for "Poetry Form - N - Narrative" Poetry Contest sponsored by Constance La France

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Ann Peck

Date: 5/9/2022 4:55:00 PM

Milton, what a sad and beautiful story of two boys and a dog and learning about death. Congratulations on your win!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/9/2022 5:55:00 PM

Thank you, Ann. With a smattering of poetic license, it's pretty true.

Constance La France

Date: 5/9/2022 7:44:00 AM

Milt, excellent and congratulations on your First Place win in my Narrative, Let me tell you a story ... contest, your poem left me weeping, you told the story of your beloved Sam so beautifully, blessings ~Constance

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/9/2022 7:45:00 AM

Aw, thank you so much, Constance. The story is basically a true account with a few poetic licenses. Sam was a beloved dog throughout the neighborhood. He had quite a reputation.

Eve Roper

Date: 5/1/2022 6:29:00 PM

Congratulations on a wonderful touching write in Constance's contest. Blessings to you

L Milton Hankins
Date: 5/1/2022 7:10:00 PM

Thanks so much, Eve. I was proud of the story, and I am glad you liked it.

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 4/28/2022 8:48:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. A "Wonderful" yet sad story/write. Have a great/blessed day.......................

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/28/2022 10:13:00 AM

Thank you so much, Paula. I received your Soup Mail.

Christuraj Alex

Date: 4/28/2022 6:53:00 AM

"Afterwards, we gave up slingshots, any shooting event, It was never much fun to do from that sad day forward" - Such a tender heart you had. Love for Sam. Great! Congratulations!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/28/2022 7:54:00 AM

Thanks so much, Chris. The whole neighborhood mourned the loss of Sam.

Sotto Poet

Date: 4/27/2022 8:05:00 PM

Milton, many congratulations on your well-deserved win. With this magnificent poem, you have more than earned it.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/27/2022 8:41:00 PM

Thanks, Lasaad. I'm so glad you enjoyed it. It's a true story with a few uses of poetic license.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 4/17/2022 9:21:00 PM

This is incredibly sad and well written.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/18/2022 8:13:00 AM

Thanks, Caren. It's a true story with a tiny bit of poetic license.

Ilene Bauer

Date: 4/16/2022 12:06:00 PM

a touching tale, milton! don't know if it's true or not, but you've told it in a very convincing way. good luck in the contest...

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/16/2022 12:18:00 PM

It's somewhat true, Ilene. I took some poetic license, but I hope I told the story well. Sam was quite a dog...truly a neighborhood icon. Thanks so much for your receptive response to the story.