When I Played God

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["When I Played God" was first published in Quintessence, Spring Issue, 1969. It was reprinted in my first poetry chapbook, The Lady in the Pink Hat, Candor Press, 1969.]

I stopped beside a mountain stream An intruder in the realm To watch a fiddler on a stone, then A leaf with a cricket at the helm, A fairy ship on a rabid course Swirling in a raging sea I reached to save the tiny crew Their only God was me. Listed 95 on PS Best Poems February 23, 20212

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Andy Chunn

Date: 3/14/2021 12:59:00 PM

You seem to enjoy nature and the quiet, isolation of the wild....like I do. Nicely written and nicely observed. It seems difficult today to connect with the simple lessons of nature. Well done and thank you.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/14/2021 1:53:00 PM

Thank you so much, Andy. I do, indeed. Solitude out in nature is the best relaxation and meditation method I know.

Marcela Proust

Date: 3/5/2021 3:05:00 PM

I truly love this poem!!! Almost like that Twilight Zone episode where the astronaut finds a population of wee little life forms, but your simplicity is simpler; simply saving the "crew" thus playing god in their eyes. But then in ending your poem, I'm assuming you just go about walking along in your human form; until you might have to play "god" again. BRILLIANT!!! It's more then every child's dream to become a superhero; YOU, for that moment actually become GOD. Amen. Thank you.

Marcela Proust
Date: 3/5/2021 7:00:00 PM

Then you were a caring god. I'm not sure about the biblic god; especially Old Testiment. Kill everyone; let the streets run as rivers of blood. IT seems pretty uptight, and yet ignores horrible poetry to be submitted to already deaf ears.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/5/2021 4:22:00 PM

Thanks, Marcel. And, I stayed long enough to watch them go on their way!

Janice Canerdy

Date: 2/17/2021 9:47:00 PM

Imaginative and appealing poem! Janice

L Milton Hankins
Date: 2/20/2021 1:46:00 PM

Thanks, Janice. I appreciated your comment.

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 2/17/2021 7:42:00 PM

So whimsical, joyful and energetic! A fave for me!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 2/17/2021 8:45:00 PM

Thanks, Caren. I was reminded of playing in the "crick" when I was just a small boy.