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

Copyright © | Year Posted 2022



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Date: 3/17/2022 9:53:00 PM
Very beautifully written masterly work. Congratulations!
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/18/2022 8:24:00 AM
Thank you so much, Chris. I appreciate your congrats.
Date: 3/17/2022 9:23:00 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.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/17/2022 11:55:00 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.
Date: 2/20/2022 9:52:00 AM
Loved the descriptive phrases and imagery, Milt. Bill
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 3/17/2022 11:56:00 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!
Date: 2/7/2022 11:22:00 AM
This went straight to my FAVE list.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 2/7/2022 12:00:00 PM
Aw, thanks, Caren. I must admit I enjoyed writing this one late the other night. Sort of visionary, I think.
Date: 2/4/2022 7:23:00 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.
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 2/4/2022 8:32:00 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.
Date: 2/4/2022 4:26:00 AM
Very unique poem, Milton:) deep thoughts in here:)
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L Milton Hankins
Date: 2/4/2022 8:34:00 AM
Thanks so much for your thoughtfulness, Jo.
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