L Milton Hankins Poet Quintain (English)

Where Dragons Come To Hide

Then I knew what lay over the distant horizon
For the sun dared me to follow it to the other side
Where light took shape in a proud day’s kaizen,
Morning accompanied yesterday’s journey inside
The frolic of the night where dragons had come to hide.

I awakened to the sound of recorders and flutes
Neatly clad pedestrians hustling to the cities’ centers,
Skyscrapers built like working men in sturdy boots --
I watched from subway steps one hurriedly enters
While my country’s powerful slept like mad dissenters.

My peace was suddenly shattered by earth's shaking
One hapless hemisphere grating against a silent other
Trying to foresee the future, theirs for the taking,
Because passivity and paucity of concern smother
Devaluing the halcyon days of my father and mother.

The sun bade me follow upward to the eastern rim
To view objectively another point of view in time
And space, that I shall experience in lessons less grim,
Awakening my heart chilled, then fluttered in mime
Seems humankind, en toto, has a rugged uphill to climb.

EIGHTH PLACE WINNER
written February 3, 2022
especially for "Quintain (English)" Poetry Contest
sponsored by Emile Pinet

#76 on Poetry Soup's Best Poems List
February 25, 2022

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Christuraj Alex March 17, 2022 at 9:53 PM Very beautifully written masterly work. Congratulations! L Milton Hankins March 18, 2022 at 8:24 AM Thank you so much, Chris. I appreciate your congrats.

Emile Pinet March 17, 2022 at 9:23 AM Congratulations Milt! Your poem earned a distinguished place in my contest, due to the technical demands of this form it was a difficult contest to both enter and judge, very well done my friend, Emile. L Milton Hankins March 17, 2022 at 11:55 AM Thank you so much, Emile. I always enjoy your contests, and I learn so much by writing for them. Yes, this is a difficult one, but I'm glad I did well enough for a placement. Thanks, again, my friend. I hope you are having a wonderful week.

Bill Baker February 20, 2022 at 9:52 AM Loved the descriptive phrases and imagery, Milt. Bill L Milton Hankins March 17, 2022 at 11:56 AM Thanks, Bill. This was a difficult write for me, but I did enjoy it. I can write one stanza fairly easily, but three...whoa!

Caren Krutsinger February 7, 2022 at 11:22 AM This went straight to my FAVE list. L Milton Hankins February 7, 2022 at 12:00 PM Aw, thanks, Caren. I must admit I enjoyed writing this one late the other night. Sort of visionary, I think.

Sotto Poet February 4, 2022 at 7:23 AM "My peace was suddenly shattered by earth's shaking" Milt, you've created a really remarkable poem. Your profound personal opinions and absolutely superb metaphors make a great addition of fascination to your writing. L Milton Hankins February 4, 2022 at 8:32 AM Thanks so much, Lasaad, for this lovely compliment on my most recent poem. I love this poetry form, so it was a good write.

Joanna Daniel February 4, 2022 at 4:26 AM Very unique poem, Milton:) deep thoughts in here:) L Milton Hankins February 4, 2022 at 8:34 AM Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness, Jo.