These Are Tragic Times

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[This poem was one of my earliest, c.1967. It was first published in the Marietta, Ohio Times. It was included in my poetry chapbook, THE LADY IN THE PINK HAT, published by Candor Press, Dexter, Missouri, 1969.]

These are tragic times when destinies lie Enshrouded by war's soggy drapes And hopeless elegies fair tomorrows deny Pitifully anguished days of separation-- Heartache, remorse and fear dare To overshadow the lightest heart's array Reclothing them in deep despair. O, tragic times when men must fight To preserve the nobler state; wend their way Through a thousand wrongs to make a right And spill their precious blood upon a field Carelessly--needlessly and call it honor's sake These are tragic times that death will not yield To life, and wars our bravest take. American Fellowship of Poets Peace Poem Prize, 1968 FOURTH PLACE WINNER Lines 8-11 taken from "These Are Tragic Times" entered into Liberum Divisa 5 Poetry Contest April 17, 2021

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Caren Krutsinger

Date: 4/6/2021 9:57:00 PM

This was penned during the Viet Nam War and Wow! "O, tragic times when men must fight To preserve the nobler state; wend their way Through a thousand wrongs to make a right" Thank you for sharing!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/7/2021 9:06:00 AM

Thanks, Caren. I recently received a copy of my chapbook which a friend managed to find from 1969, and which has long been out of print, in a Morgantown, WV library archives. I'm going to put some of the poems in it on PS, the ones I think folks might like. Thanks so much for your visit, read, and support.

Judy Ball

Date: 4/6/2021 9:50:00 PM

WoW! So much emotion here and yes your words ring true. They were tragic times but I think this pandemic thing is worse. It is going to lead to a lot of world wide misery. A great write my friend. God Bless, JB

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/7/2021 9:04:00 AM

I agree with you, JB. Thanks for your generous, kind comment.

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 4/6/2021 7:27:00 PM

Wow! Was this written about the Vietnam war, perhaps?

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/6/2021 8:23:00 PM

Indeed it was, Kim. That's why it was so important that I give the date when first published. It's an oldie!!!

Sotto Poet

Date: 4/6/2021 6:56:00 PM

Superb writes, Milton, also news from the dates all the way back to the 1960s is of relevance and news because it is genuinely relevant even though it was produced yesterday. Gob bless you, Dear Freind

L Milton Hankins
Date: 4/6/2021 7:20:00 PM

Thanks, Lasaad. Yes, I felt everyone needed the context for the poem, which would have been the Vietnam War. Remember it well.