Best Milton Hankins Poems
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.
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.
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
Since Milton left us,
my great friend at Poetry Soup,
I am not comfortable with his absence.
I don't believe in deities or the beyond,
to me it seems like nonsense.
but if there's anyone I'd like to talk to again,
surely Milton would be that man.
Some call him Milt
Others, Hank
Whichever way
He's in the first rank
The tippy-top of the top tier
of the poets 'in our soup'
He's been a very welcome
and wonderful addition to our group
He writes in all kind of styles
poems serious, and those that bring smiles
And I think he's been doing this since about '63
which is a whole hullabaloo longer than (most of) you and me
So, here's to a polished, prolific poet
whose pen is never 'out of gas'
Mr. L. Milton Hankins ~
Renaissance Man, first-class
Is there anyone you know that writes reviews
Like this special friend of ours Milton
The answer is no, not in this whole wide world
He rises above all the bustle
Such a very kind soul, my dear Mr.Hankins
Must be made of something real special
Just about the happiest dude that ever there was
We all need a friend like Milton
Something tells me he's had a real good life
As he pours out his daily accolades
Seems totally content within his own skin
The epitome of a man self-made
Totally look up to and appreciate dear Milton
He's someone I'm honoured to know
In this day and age of our “me first” generation
A unique and a true loving soul
Is there anyone you know that writes reviews
Like my friend L. Milton Hankins...
Methinks not
Milt would comment on my poems
and make me feel real nice
He was friendly as one could be
and there was never any price
He ran poetry contests that were hard
and made you use your brain
He loved poetrysoup
and the soupers all the same
But now he's up in heaven
where he's probably writing too
He's penning awesome poetry
for his wife there too
I wish I could be as wonderful
as this man was
he was an idol and a role model
that gave out lots of love
Tribute To L Milton Hankins
His
Presents
And presence
Touched this great site
Thanks to his keen sight
He flavored soup bowls
With words graced with thrills and bows
He did have a wonderful past
Now with sad hearts, we mourn that he's passed
connie pachecho
12/29/22
In Honor of Milt - An Un-contest
Sponsor-Andrea Dietrich
L. Milton Hankins was a great man and I'm
honored to have been at the same table as
he was and breaking bread and having a bowl
of soup. It meant a lot to me as I am sure it
does to others. Best wishes and prayers to
his family, loved ones, and fellow poets.
1st
Backhanded Apology
Copyright © L MILTON HANKINS | Year Posted 2022
Sorry if I upset you,
I really didn’t mean it
Actually, I meant it
Until I saw it upset you,
Now I’m sorry you are
Upset by my words
But I got them said,
Which I intended to do.
L. Milton always impressed me with his sly humor amidst mostly very deep, spiritual thoughts. “Backhanded Apology” is one of his well-read pieces at 742 views. This apology is perfect for a very public person who is subject to personal remarks which could be double entendre at the outset. Milt was a fine person, likewise an excellent poet whose comments on my work were always positive and supportive. A Kentucky bluegrass native myself, I applaud his choice of retirement residency in Ashland; it is close to his roots in WV. We will all miss him at Poetry Soup.
January 3, 2023
Dear Milt,
I said I would...
*
The eager young man was a loner
Too timid to ask out Ramona
That outrageous flirt
Hitched up her short skirt
He’s now got an enormous, er, um... AHA!.. Desire to phone her???
*
What do you reckon? Poet Laureate? Knighthood? Fame? Fortune?
Hmmm... who organises those stars in the sidewalk?
Terry
Milton, your last word was “Bye’
With a request to your friends 'not to cry'
Did you really mean it or was it an intuition?
Mysterious are the workings of human mind!
When your summons came, you didn’t cringe in fear
But sustained and soothed by an unflinching faith
You went daringly without looking back,
To be embraced into the Heavenly fold
Now you live for ever with your loved ones
And enjoy a bliss no one can take away
You shall not face any more threats from life
Or shall be criticized by your detractors
When we came to know of your abrupt leaving
All your friends who stood by were so shocked
With waves of emotion churning fierce in their minds
And the earth, under their feet, suddenly caving in
I regret I haven’t known you enough
But know for sure, you always spoke your mind
Without fear or favor, nonchalantly
Set high benchmarks for poetry, both for yours and others
Though gone from our sight, you have left
A rich poetic legacy and each time we read you
Your sombre face will keep flashing by
And you will live in our hearts forever!
Jan.6.2023
In Honor of Milton- An Un- Contest Poetry Contest
Sponsor- Andrea Dietrich
Three thousand three hundred and thirty-five poetic blooms,
Lewis Milton Hankins has in his bouquet, like bright plumes;
Each is rich in theme, form, rhyme, rhythm, and figures of speech,
In sound, style, symbol, and syntax each one is beyond reach...!
He shines as a writer, poet, columnist, and teacher,
Theologian, public speaker, and well-known preacher;
‘Sensible Theology for Thinking People’ – wrote also,
‘Appalachian short stories and Ashes on the Snow’...!
Newcomers or established poets he welcomed each one's view,
As I joined the Soup I got his precious suggestions too;
Like a brother, friend, and true artist he respected all,
In concepts and philosophy, whether they're great or small...!
Like mud clings to a potter, and wood to a carpenter,
Or kids clinging to their mother who's loving and tender;
Sonnet, couplet, triolet, verse, haiku, pantoum, rhyme form,
Each seemed to bend before him in absolute minute norm...!
"I need a vacation", he says, and sways, "Bye - Bye Don't cry!"
Was the vision of his flight shown to him from the skies high?
As I believe about each death, has Milton gone as well,
To make his research on the great truths of heaven and hell...???
02 January 2023
In Honor of Milt - An Un-contest Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Andrea Dietrich
A poet, a friend and a fellow souper
A kind mind
May his soul rest in peace
Which was taken a little too soon
Wish I had known you better- friend;
my time is limited on Soup.
With writing only- I attend;
But, now I share this with your group.
My time is limited on Soup.
With your last theme- could not compose.
But, now I share this with your group
using a special form you chose.
With your last theme- could not compose.
Now, such great poems, I have read-
using a special form you chose,
I see the beauty your words spread.
Now, such great poems, I have read;
you shared your kind and gentle heart.
I see the beauty your words spread-
so unexpected- you did part.
You shared your kind and gentle heart;
With writing only, I attend.
So unexpected- you did part;
wish I had known you better- friend.
January 3, 2023
Contest: In Honor Of Milt-
An Un-Contest Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Andrea Dietrich
I missed writing for Milt's last contest:
"Pantoum On Writing Poetry" - 5 Stanzas
But, I wrote it now as a tribute to him.
Never afraid to express what he thought,
His convictions came through loud and clear.
By sharing, in words, what in life he’d been taught,
All his comments were kind and sincere.
There was rarely a day when he didn’t respond
To a poem that I happened to post.
Now that he’s taken leave from this earth to beyond,
It’s his goodness that I’ll miss the most.
Rest in peace, Milt, and know that on Poetry Soup
You have left an unfillable void,
For your writings gave many (I’m one of the group)
Ruminations we greatly enjoyed.