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What Happened to the America I Once Knew

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[This poem is a "retourne," which is essentially a quatern with more than 8-syllables per line. Retourne means "return," so-named because the first line of the poem is repeated in each stanza in a different location.]

What happened to the America I once knew? Where children could play kickball in the street And next-door neighbors were tried and true Dining rooms were places where families eat. Parents took responsibility for their kids What happened to the America I once knew? People helped those who went on the skids No one would have thought of staging a coup. Our basic systems are failing, what do we do? Obstruction of progress is a politician’s basic tool What happened to the America I once knew Teachers were in charge of their classes in school. All of the media seem to have a marked agenda Polarization in thinking has the country in a stew Watch what you say, someone will be offended What happened to the America I once knew? written July 21, 2021

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Caren Krutsinger

Date: 7/23/2021 6:47:00 PM

I want our old America back too. Maybe it will happen when all the electronics go down, but we would also have to lose the TV sets and radio stations. Smirk. Smirk.

L MILTON HANKINS
Date: 7/23/2021 7:53:00 PM

Oh man, I can hardly wait! Smirk. Smirk!

Shirley Hawkins

Date: 7/22/2021 9:57:00 PM

What happened to the World we knew? So sad....

L MILTON HANKINS
Date: 7/23/2021 8:17:00 AM

Thank you for your comment, Shirley. I thought I'd keep it closer to home.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 7/22/2021 5:42:00 PM

I'd comment, but Heaven forfend if my words offend! ~ gw

L MILTON HANKINS
Date: 7/22/2021 7:43:00 PM

(chuckle) Gershon, you can NEVER offend me. I know we have political differences (probably other differences, too) but I consider you a friend. Your poems delight me, and your remarks always give me a chuckle. You're a cool dude...and, you know,...everyone has a right to be wrong. Right?

Mike Gentile

Date: 7/22/2021 11:56:00 AM

I really like this form Milton! I relate totally to your poem and in a way, it makes be so sad as I remember so clearly when we loved one another and were "one nation"!

L MILTON HANKINS
Date: 7/22/2021 12:22:00 PM

Yes, it is sad, Mike. Give the quatern a go. In some ways it pretty much writes itself. The quatern is restricted to 8-syllable lines, however. I don't like that. The retourne isn't listed as a type of poem by PS, but it is, IMHO.

Nancy Kaufman

Date: 7/22/2021 9:20:00 AM

this is a timely write. I guess we all need to work harder at being instruments of change with our world in such a hurting place. Very good poem Milton.

L MILTON HANKINS
Date: 7/22/2021 11:23:00 AM

Thank you so much, Nancy, for your insightful comment on my poem. I really appreciate it.

Richard Lamoureux

Date: 7/22/2021 5:01:00 AM

I think it is long gone. I also believe it never really existed. Nostalgia is an interesting thing, it edits out the bad things. If only it could be how we choose to remember it. Blessings my friend.

L MILTON HANKINS
Date: 7/22/2021 8:39:00 AM

You make an interesting point, which I think is definitely true...nostalgia "edits out the bad things." That is probably a good thing, too, don't you think? Thanks for your thoughtful comment on my poem, Richard.