Best Milton Poems
With pitchforks and torches they rode through the night,
their goal was Milton Creek, by dawns early light.
A surprise attack was what they had foreseen,
led by the infamous, lollipop queen.
With a group of ringed men, she’d deceived and collected,
they rode for the jail, for the first one she’d infected.
In shackles and chains, her best awaited his trial,
I can’t say his name, so we’ll just call him Kyle.
Old Kyle was arraigned for a snake oil ruse,
he claimed to sell medicine but was just peddling booze.
They stopped just out of town by farmer Bill’s pig pen,
where they all shared a lollipop, and a *Cornish game hen*.
Rested and fed, they all headed for town,
their plan was to free Kyle and turn his frown upside down.
There were many new graves that we helped Mayor Tom to dig,
we could smell them all coming, they were pungent like a pig.
Little did they know how Milton Creek was protected,
we watched each other’s back, and our defense was perfected.
David and Terry, were perched on the roof of the jail,
I stood right out front with my leaded cocktail.
Tania and Jan were on the top of the saloon,
Milton was keeping watch, as he played a catchy tune.
Deb was on the ground, locked and loaded,
Lin had Jenna’s Winchester and some dynamite to be exploded.
*a Cornish game hen is produced from a cross between the Cornish and white Plymouth rock chicken breeds, it is served young and immature weighing no more than two pounds*
Categories:
milton, western,
Form:
Rhyme
Death comes to all like a great shadow,
servant of reality when the truth of it sinks
in leaving the experience embedded on
one’s soul. Milt, given to remembrance
in his lifetime, moments flashing by, when
the congregation gathered to celebrate his
time on earth. But in the book of scrolls
winter is definite in which age must give way
to the new, one, he’d readily give for
the sprinkling of innocence created to start
life’s process all over again, with perpetual
regularity. He would, from behind the thin
veil of Ionna, bless and comfort the unfortunate,
the depressed, the lame of an earthly lifetime in
songs of praise. Leave a recipe for a foregone
conclusion. Auf wiedersehen, we will meet again!
February 6th 2023/ 2022 Poetry Marathon Qualifiers Final
Placement Poetry Contest.
Sponsor Mark Toney.
Mark Toney.
Categories:
milton, death of a friend,
Form:
Free verse
The Mission in Milton Creek, I’ve acquisitioned
Converted into the town’s culinary mecca
Aptly designed and scenically positioned
Inspired from ancient recipes revived Azteca
An enchanting bistro tastes of old Mexicana
To lift spirits, share and warm the hearts
Paintings by Frida Kahlo the valiant Chicana
Every Sunday, an Institute of Culinary Arts
Christened ~ Saint Milt's in his memory
On the adobe walls his poems will be hung
Milt will live on here with love and glory
Mariachi folksong praises shall be sung
Welcome to St. Milt's Culinary Mission
Categories:
milton, appreciation, tribute,
Form:
Rhyme
Listen Up, all good citizens of Milton Creek
If it's a night on the town and good food you seek
Come over to Aces
With your smilin' faces
The Grand Reopening's tonight. Come, take a peek!
Milt left his Aces Hotel to the entire town
No better place for a steak house, so come on down
It's got a new name, "Hank's"
In advance I'll say, "Thanks"
It serves the finest T-bones anywhere around
Restaurant and hotel are managed by Lin Lane
The town council swears it won't be part of a chain
Come early; take a seat
The steaks cannot be beat
Tonight there's free whiskey and imported champagne
Now, Lin is from way down yonder in New Orleans
She makes good chicken gumbo like most Cajun queens
It's good down home cookin
You don't need a bookin
Heard she's servin' jambalaya and collard greens
Right here tonight, in Milton Creek, as a surprise
Hanks will be introducing burgers and french fries
A dish loved in the South
It'll taste good in your mouth
But save room for pralines, and bourbon pecan pies
Mosey on over to Aces and have a bite
Tell all your friends and bring a hearty appetite
Get on your horse and ride
No guns allowed inside
There's a big party goin' on at Hanks tonight!
Categories:
milton, food,
Form:
Limerick
NOTE: To those who will soon be joining us in Milton Creek:
Please allow our Mayor to make the announcement. Thanks!
Lots of things are going on in the town of Milton Creek
now that the posse has returned after putting under arrest
the villain guilty of murder; but who pretended to be meek.
It's a lesson to those thinkin' of movin' to the wild West.
I've been hearing rumors that are spreadin' on the street
about a bunch of new townsfolks that are comin' this way...
to Milton Creek because it's been declared the county seat.
I'm sure they're all good people, Mayor Tom will have his say.
He don't take too kindly to those who barge their way in.
There's procedure to follow when runnin' a business here.
The town council will disapprove of sharks with a dorsal fin,
so, all citizens can live in peace, without the need of fear.
I bought what was a restaurant next door to the Aces Hotel.
It folded when many got sick from eating bad Mexican food.
Now, it's part of Milt's legacy, and I promised I'd never sell.
Dinner at Aces, dessert at the bakery, coffee: fresh brewed
Mayor Tom is off on a new adventure, but he'll be back soon
to announce the names of new residents coming to the Creek.
I'm sure he'll be calling a town meeting on the first afternoon.
For now, I thought I'd offer a glimpse, just a little sneak peek.
Categories:
milton, friendship, together,
Form:
Rhyme
Milton Creek Weeps
There's a kind of hush over Milton Creek
All residents are in shock and they weep
For gambler Milt who's no longer around
The kindest ever to have graced the town.
To honour Milt the Creek has been renamed
Look down from heaven Milt 'cause you're proclaimed
For friendships made and poetic art
Milton Creek's courteous bard of our hearts.
Milt
Gently may you sleep in heavenly peace.
*+*+*
6th January 2023
Categories:
milton, farewell, loss, tribute,
Form:
Rhyme
On December 5th, 2022, Milton Hankins wrote he'd turned eighty-one.
It was to be the last he would celebrate, but we continue to honor him,
a fine gentleman, poet, and friend. December 22 will mark two years
ago that he left us. In remembering Milt today, I would like to share some
of the words from his poem, 'I Shall Think of You.'
"I shall think of you
In the meadow's frosty morning chill
when it greets a lazy, rising autumn sun until
Warming rays melt the remaining dew.
Heavily clad, I shall think of you,
As I start my morning walk to the hill.
Strolling along, I shall think of you still
In the meadow."
I still think of Milt walking in the meadow,
no longer feeling the chill on cold autumn days.
I still mourn when I think of him
and remember the warmth of his kind ways.
Categories:
milton, friend, memorial,
Form:
Elegy
The streets of Soup Creek are now somber and dark.
We have lost a fellow poet, but never his spark.
Lewis Milton Hankins, spent 81 heartfelt years on this earth.
I will mourn with those who mourn and rejoice for his birth.
He was a first-class poet and a first-class friend.
People like Milton, are a definite godsend.
He said what he meant and meant what he said.
His lips spoke the truth and they never misled.
He was gifted with the arts, it thrived in his blood.
He will forever be in Jenna’s, at a table dealing stud.
In Soup Creek we are immortal, our spirit will never die.
A Poet’s words are magic and always free to fly.
For each word spoke and every poem read.
The poet will live on because their words are never dead.
I’ll sign off for now and bid this Poet my final farewell.
As for the gambler in Soup Creek, there will be no death knell.
Categories:
milton, death of a friend,
Form:
Rhyme
A tall stranger rode into Milton Creek
Ragged scar ran across one eye and cheek
Mayor Tom drew his gun
"You best hightail and run!"
"Geeze! Okay! But first can I take a leak?"
April 28, 2023
Funny or Bawdy Limerick Contest
Sponsored by Tania Kitchin
Categories:
milton, conflict,
Form:
Limerick
" . . . I experience the ultimate thrill.
When all the noises around me are still."
Quote by _L Milton Hankins (1941-2022)
In memory of Milt who loved the Pantoum form.
___________________
I have been writing stories and poems since a young girl,
writing about my cats, teddy bears, my dolls and flowers;
love making my words fly and swirl, and twirl, whirl and unfurl,
in my cozy attic room- I could write my words for hours.
Writing about my cats, teddy bears, my dolls and flowers,
though, as I got older, I wrote deep poems and stories;
in my cozy attic room- I could write my words for hours,
writing of my grief, my life, thoughts- in all categories.
Though, as I got older, I wrote deep poems and stories,
my poetry is often sad messages to the world;
writing of my grief, my life, thoughts - in all categories,
like lost leaves fluttering wildly in the wind my words have whorled.
My poetry is often sad messages to the world,
and words pour out from my pen as a song or a prayer;
like lost leaves fluttering wildly in the wind my words have whorled,
and often nature poems and funny poems ... I share.
And words pour out from my pen as a song or a prayer,
love making my words fly and swirl, and twirl, whirl and unfurl;
and often nature poems and funny poems ... I share,
I have been writing stories and poems since a young girl.
______________________
November 28, 2022
Poetry/Pantoum/Writing Poetry For Milton
Copyright Protected, ID 11-1505-155-28
All Rights Reserved, 2023, Constance La France
I dedicate this Pantoum in honor of my poetic friend
Lewis Milton Hankins
1941- 2022
Written for the Premiere contest, Pantoum on Writing
sponsor, L MILTON HANKINS,
This is a contest that will never be judged as
Milton, passed away on December 22, 2022
Submitted to the Premiere contest, 2022 Poetry Marathon, Mile 24
(poems dedicated to the Memory of L Milton Hankins)
sponsor, Mark Toney, Judged 01/22/2023
Second Place
Submitted to the Standard contest, 2022 Marathon Qualifiers Final Placement
sponsor, Mark Toney, Judged 03/04/2023
Twelve Place
Categories:
milton, poetry, writing,
Form:
Pantoum
. "ice crystals on grass
glistening like pure gemstones
dawn winking at morning"...
An excerpt from "Ice Crystals on grass" by L. Milton Hankins
A poem composed of three haikus. I chose this haiku to show that Milton could write such beauty when he chose. Milton was so kind to me; I will miss him.
generous poet
shared feelings straight from the heart
softly closed the door
Categories:
milton, appreciation, beauty, care, friend,
Form:
Haiku
Leading his horse in the heat of the day
Been gone a long time but he still knows the way
Just a few shacks when he went for the gold
He’d found a few nuggets but now he’s too old
So, home to the town that he’s heard has expanded
He’s also aware that the town’s been rebranded
He knows he’s too late to catch up with the guy
Who’d bid him farewell but now lives in the sky
He stops on the trail by the boundary sign
He don’t read-n-write but he knows the design
He knows that the words on the board aren’t the same
Must’ve been changed to display the new name
“Howdy, Old timer,” a passerby said
“The hotel’s just yonder for resting your head.”
The prospector said, with a big toothless grin,
“What’s the new name of this town that we’re in?”
“It’s now ‘Milton Creek’, as it says on the sign
It’s new name remembers a good friend of mine.”
The old fella, grinning and shaking his head
Said, “Milt said he’d live on long after he’s dead.
“I used to tell him he was being absurd
but he always was just as good as his word.
To be sure that fella deserved the ovation
But can we just rename the towns in this nation?”
The passerby said, “There are them that makes rules
And then there’s the ones that behave like their mules
But sooner or later things get a bit rich
And the mules all rear up and scratch at that itch
“Soup Creek fell prey to the powers that scheme
With lynchings and lashings an ongoing theme.
There’s cells in the jailhouse where innocents dwell
Soup Creek’s reputation had heard its death knell.
“You see ‘Soup’ emerged as a four letter word,
And good folk would tremble when e’er ‘Soup’ was heard.
So we ditched the mouldy old cheese for best stilton
And renamed our town to remember our Milton.”
The prospector slapped on the passerby’s arm,
“You think I just ran from the old funny farm?
When you said ‘Stilton’ twas just for the rhyme.”
The passerby grinned, “Fella… got it first time.”
Categories:
milton, western,
Form:
Rhyme
Gentleman
thoughtful honest
funny encouraging decent
sensible practical plausible durable
unequivocal noble polemic
principled studious
Champion
Delightful Diamante Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Caren Krutsinger
01/15/23
Categories:
milton, allusion, meaningful, tribute,
Form:
Diamante
In a foreign sky, I gaze above
And spot those stars I named with love
After fellow poets who I dearly miss
Their memory still brings me bliss
There's Milton, shining bright and strong
As if he's still here, where he belongs
He was always the leader of our pack
Skills and strengths I still admire and lack
Close to him is Connie, gentle and kind
Her smile and warmth are always on my mind
She was the glue that held us together
I wish I could hug her just once more, forever
Then there's Harry, the newest of the three
His poetry oozes from his poetic soul and inspired me
He had a heart full of compassion and love
I know he's watching us from above
In this foreign sky, they may be far
But their light still guides us like a star
I'll keep their memory alive and bright
Until we reunite, in a heavenly light.
Written: June 8, 2023
Categories:
milton, appreciation, eulogy, friendship,
Form:
Rhyme
Milton S. Hershey
Because of his chocolate I'm at his mercy
for every bite is sweet
and I often on my diet cheat
Categories:
milton, food, senses,
Form:
Clerihew