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Yearning For Reunion

Ancient, rugged hills worn down by time I miss the lush green hills of my home Leaning away from the peaceful valley, Mountains forged from eons long forgotten During those prehistoric periods before Earliest settlers found the Appalachians, Already old, tired, and wrinkled, awaiting The laughter of young children discovering, Holding the secrets of ancestors denied Their birthright by Jacobs and Jacob-ites Where old waters flow down into new, New River old, maybe older, than the Nile. I miss the lush green hills of my home Leaning away from the peaceful valley Where John Deere still breaks the ground In the springtime after a long, hard winter, And where flowers bloom into October Especially if Mother Nature allows them. And she does, for that is her mountain way, Creating an everlasting yearning for reunion Back home in those West Virginia hills. POEM OF THE DAY, December 2, 2021 Poetry Soup written November 30, 2021 #49 on the Best New Poems List on Poetry Soup December 8, 2021

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Kim Rodrigues

Date: 12/8/2021 2:44:00 PM

A fave for me! So many wonderful things mentioned here! Congratulations on POTD!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/8/2021 7:16:00 PM

Thank you, Kim, for reading my poem and expressing your thoughts. I'm so happy you made it a FAVE, for I do think it is a worthy poem to be read many, many times, and I hope everyone who reads it will. It is one of my own personal favorites.

P.S. Awtry

Date: 12/7/2021 6:53:00 AM

altogether lovely!--from the first line. I especially like the line about the John Deere breaking the ground--it puts humans and human activity into the idyllic scene making it all the more real. Many congratulations on your POTD honors.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/7/2021 11:07:00 AM

Aw, thanks so much, P.S. I really appreciate the time you took to write such a nice comment.

John Hamilton

Date: 12/6/2021 3:02:00 PM

Well done Milt, there's nothing quite like home they say, congrats on a fine write and belated congrats on potd!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/6/2021 3:37:00 PM

Thanks, John. It's always a pleasure to hear from you. I'm so glad you enjoyed my poem, which surprisingly (to me) was chosen as a P.O.T.D.

Jennifer Proxenos

Date: 12/5/2021 11:53:00 PM

Congratulations on POTD Milton although a little late sincere and heartfelt. Hugs blessings Jennifer

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/6/2021 3:38:00 PM

Thank you, Jennifer. I appreciate your read and your thoughtful comment on my poem.

Gershon Wolf

Date: 12/4/2021 5:59:00 PM

Congrats, belatedly, on POTD, Milt for this lovely reminisce on West Virginia's many charms. Happiness and Joy, Gershon

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/4/2021 6:19:00 PM

Aw, thanks so much, Gershon, my Chicago friend. Wishing you happiness and joy today and every day!

Charles Messina

Date: 12/4/2021 5:50:00 AM

Such a shame how landscapes change over the years. Beautiful description of your homeland of time ago. This takes me back to John Denver's song..."Take me Home Country Road" Belated congrats on POTD, Milton.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/4/2021 9:28:00 AM

Yep. Many of those beautiful, old hills have been shaved off for seams of coal now. Thanks, Charles. Denver's song wasn't in my mind. When I was a youngster, "The West Virginia Hills" was our state song, and I still can sing it.

Reason A. Poteet

Date: 12/4/2021 5:32:00 AM

Nostalgic to the core, many of us oldsters can relate. I take the home town newspaper to keep up with the sights and sounds therein. Congratulations on your inspiration chosen as POTD, Milton.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/4/2021 9:28:00 AM

Many thanks to you for your thoughtful response to my poem and my win, Reason. I appreciate you.

Jennifer Fenn

Date: 12/2/2021 11:29:00 PM

What a touching, beautiful tribute to your homeland. Congrats on POTD!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/3/2021 7:40:00 AM

Thanks so much, Jennifer. I appreciate your sweet comment.

John Watt

Date: 12/2/2021 11:11:00 PM

Milton, it sounds like a rugged and beautiful landscape, no wonder you miss it so much. You use excellent imagery and paint a lovely poetic picture with touches of history sprinkled in. Congrats on your POTD honor today, well done sir ~ John

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/3/2021 7:40:00 AM

John, I really appreciate the time you took to comment on my poem. Thanks!

Valsa George

Date: 12/2/2021 9:41:00 PM

Each one's ancestral home with life there is a fond memory stashed away in a corner of the mind ! Your poem has taken me to my own home tucked away between woods and a hilly terrain. The poem has an aura of idyllic loveliness. Congratulations on your honor !

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/2/2021 9:45:00 PM

Thanks so much, Valsa. I appreciated your thoughtful comment and so happy you could relate to my poem.

Brandy Nicole

Date: 12/2/2021 8:24:00 PM

This walk down memory lane touches my heart so deeply. So many things change, as time moves and days linger. However... *Memories last forever*. This is so beautiful and tender. Congratulations Milton, on Poem of the Day. Hugs, Brandy

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/2/2021 9:45:00 PM

Thanks, Brandy. Hugs to you, too.

Kenneth Cheney

Date: 12/2/2021 6:00:00 PM

Well done and congratulations. Enjoyed your trip back to the hills of West Virginia. Thanks for taking me along.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/2/2021 7:20:00 PM

You're so welcome, Kenneth. Season's Greetings to ya!

Sotto Poet

Date: 12/2/2021 4:56:00 PM

Congratulations on your POTD, Milton; you crafted an exceptional poem. Enjoy your honor.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/2/2021 7:21:00 PM

Thank you, Lasaad. I appreciate your thoughts.

Mark Koplin

Date: 12/2/2021 2:24:00 PM

Am amazing descriptive write of home. Well done sir! Congratulations!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/2/2021 3:01:00 PM

Thank you so much for your thoughtful response to my poem, Mark.

Karen Jones

Date: 12/2/2021 11:08:00 AM

Lovely write. Fav lines are...Already old, tired, and wrinkled awaiting the laughter of young children discovering. Well deserved potd.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/2/2021 12:30:00 PM

Thanks so much, Karen. I appreciated your comment.

Terry Flood

Date: 12/2/2021 11:06:00 AM

Congrats on your POTD, Milt with this nostalgic reverie. I hope if you ever return it retains much of the charm you remember so fondly. Terry

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/2/2021 12:31:00 PM

Ah, those old hills will be there long after I've bought the farm. Thanks, Terry.

Paula Goldsmith

Date: 12/2/2021 10:33:00 AM

Congratulations on your POTD win. A "Wonderful" write. Sounds like you are homesick. Have a great/blessed day..............

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/2/2021 12:31:00 PM

Oh, I always think of home very fondly. I don't live too far away, so I make a couple of jaunts back home every year. Try to avoid going there in the winter!

Constance La France

Date: 12/2/2021 9:04:00 AM

Milt, beautifully penned with so much emotion and congratulations on the POEM OF THE DAY honor ~ peace and tranquility _Constance

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/2/2021 9:11:00 AM

Constance, I cannot tell you what encouragement you and this POTD give me. Thanks so much.

Heidi Sands

Date: 12/2/2021 8:58:00 AM

Congratulations for this beautiful POTD :)

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/2/2021 9:03:00 AM

Thanks so much, Heidi.

Anitha Jayasankar

Date: 12/2/2021 8:58:00 AM

Nothing like home... and it's sweet memories.. who would not yearn to return to such a beautiful place with lush green mountains and valleys like that which you describe here... Hearty congratulations on your well deserved POTD Milton... God bless... ~ Ani

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/2/2021 9:04:00 AM

Thanks, Anitha. I appreciate it.

Joseph May

Date: 12/2/2021 8:58:00 AM

A yearning for those country roads to take you home.. Beautifully penned Milton,

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/2/2021 9:04:00 AM

Thank you, Joseph. This POTD is quite a surprise!

Ann Peck

Date: 12/2/2021 8:24:00 AM

That's beautiful, Milton. West Virginia is a gorgeous state, although I've only been to Huntington and then to an equestrian competition as a viewer. The mountains I've seen, you describe wonderfully. Congratulations on POTD!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/2/2021 9:04:00 AM

Thank you, Ann. I always enjoy writing about my home.

Eve Roper

Date: 12/2/2021 8:10:00 AM

Back with congratulations on POTD hugs Eve

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/2/2021 9:05:00 AM

Thanks so much, Eve.

Alexis Y.

Date: 12/2/2021 6:19:00 AM

Wow! Milt, What a well-written and nostalgic piece. Your content and imagery are very good. Congratulations on getting the poem of the day. It was well deserved. Have a great day:-) Alexis

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/2/2021 9:05:00 AM

Thank you so much, Alexis. I didn't even suspect it would earn POTD!

Victor Buhagiar

Date: 12/2/2021 5:33:00 AM

Worthy of a POTD. I too yearn for the open spaces as I am surrounded by modern concrete.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/2/2021 9:05:00 AM

Yep, I think we all are these days, Victor. Thanks for your nod.