Love Conquers All – by L Milton Hankins
"If asked to repeat a time-honored passage
I would say it is that “Love Conquers All,”
For, whatever the situation, it is the message
If asked to repeat a time-honored passage,
I'd pass this adage in my far-advanced age:
“Love Conquers All,” sends a clarion call,
If asked to repeat a time-honored passage
I would say it is that “Love Conquers All!”"
'Love Conquers All' embodies in lyrical intonation
the ethos of L Milton Hankins,
exquisitely crafted in the difficult Triolet form,
a form in which he excelled.
The essence of the theme he championed
used to get reflected in his interactions with
and in his comments on the poems
of the fellow poets at PoetrySoup,
encouraging them with suggestions
to become poets of worth,
thus conquering the hearts of so many PS poets
by his caring and appreciative attitude.
For me, this poem embodies the message
he has been so keen to transmit
as the 'time-honored' 'clarion call'.
The spirit of the poem aptly reveals
the sentiments of many like me,
traversing the twilight zone of 'far-advanced age'.
Kissing feels tender, a disguise for the horde,
Horde murmurs compliment, their voices very showy,
Showy rings of consent, heavy inside,
Inside the stillness, factual hotness must skin.
Skin the cuddle, keep space in prospect,
Prospect of love trimmed down to courteous,
Courteous shrugs remain, but craving is departed,
Departed remains the hug where affection once excelled.
Excelled like a blaze, now dimmed to a kiss,
Kiss without arms leaves something erroneous,
Erroneous seems the heart that shrinks to appear,
Appear stout outside, but feeble when adjacent.
Poem by N. Mugisho
Ever wonder what happens if one day they switched the Wheels of Fortune into the wheels of memory, with the host announcing, look folks today we play a new game, call it sympathy game, here is how it goes. You each select a name from this list on the screen, it’s Gaza casualty list, and then learn all there is to know about your new identity. Let me give you an example.
Sadeel Ghasan, a 15 year old from the Jenin refugee camp. Her parents came from Al-Kabri overrun in 1948 fearing a massacre.
Sadeel had three siblings, only one left now, Mahmoud 8, old enough to know Sadeel was an angel, excelled in volleyball and marth, that her head was crushed. They’re still collecting pieces of their parents, also killed by tank fire.
So, here’s the game. When I point at you, stand and say I ‘m a Palestinian, my name is Sadeel, I used to have a fair full of hair and am headless now. No, I did not die by natural causes. I now live in someone’s memory, it’s warm and cozy, and am thrilled to know one day they’ll bring the tank commander to justice for his atrocities.
My friends, we have to keep breaking the chains until the gate opens
English composer the talented Ruth Gipps
excelled in her musicianship
Her progidious polyr-ability
produced many a tune-filled symphony
She wears many colors in her hair
Though some laugh at her, she just doesn’t care
The rainbow is her crowning glory
For her life once was a sad story.
Downcast she’d been since coming to earth
She’d never known the meaning of mirth
All she had wanted was love and peace
But the conflicts were never to cease.
However she excelled well at school
Till illness struck, life was so cruel
She recovered, but lived life in pain
Carrying on though she remained lame.
One day she found the love of her life
‘Twas wondrous when she became a wife
The invisible chains disappeared
Along with all she had ever feared.
Now she sings because her heart is light
Everything in her world’s shining bright
So she paints highlights into her hair
A colorful rainbow all may share.
Tinnu
I still remember the sweetest day
when you came into our lil world ;
Sweet as honey
eyes twinkling;
Soft smiles
setting a wave of laughter;
An apple of eyes,
under shade of kisses
that mom and dad showered;
tender care
that lil big brother gave;
your giggles
that grandma adored;
and your smiles
grandpa’s entire world;
Who could think of you
Growing a responsible kid
Adored by teachers and friends
a dancer, a player,
Excelled in every field.
Little did we know of
you having a passion for studies
And beating best of your buddies
But you made us all proud;
My dear tinnu, such a great feat
No one did know
the hard work and consistency
You put through all those years
It’s been all worth it my dear
As your achievement
speaks high and loud
That you did it, you did it, my dear girl
You have done it girl !
Wish you shine bright
and rise high as sky the only limit;
Wish you be the happiest
as desires keep coming true;
Wish you study hard as rock stone
and be the best healer
That can ever be ??
July 4, 2023
©? Dr Upma A. Sharma
Mary skipped to a different beat
You could see it in her funny feet
One shoe off, the other on
One sock green, the other brown...
She did her homework in the john
TV, computer, and radio on
Excelled in school at irrelevant classes ~
Shining shoes of cloth and threshing molasses
Powdered wig was musty
Curls petrified and crusty
Mothballs smell much better
Especially in August weather.
George put it on his head anyway
Not wanting to disappoint his mother today
Rode on the float and waved to the crowd
Showing out with a hoppy dance, proudly and loud
That’s George Washington! His parents yelled.
Knowing full well that he always excelled.
Helicopter Mom and Motorcycle dad.
Still they raised a truly wonderful lad.
He is slated as a loser, why?!
By whose standards is that measured by?
By what ambitions he ought to abide?
Is there a normative success guide?
They have excelled but wait a minute -
Their gain is not his loss or is it?
No grace in how much one can consume,
Humble and true is human heirloom.
April 23, 2023
Thank you
To the teachers that endured my troubles and wiles
And witnessed my tears and dark times
To the friends that advised me
To escape my pain with a smile
To the teachers who taught and guided me
In both the educational and moral aspects of life
And made sure I excelled
In every written and academic strife
This school helped me to learn to appreciate
All the letters that a book makes
My friends inspired me to have an inner mind
And gave me a better outlook on life
And to that, I say thank you for all my sweat and tears
That made me strong enough to face my fears
Thank you for all the joyous moments and smiles
All of you made my stay in this school worthwhile.
Mocking at my writings, yet, reading them
Why did you, dearest daughter, flee from me?
Why, Oh death, have you snatched from me my gem?
I saw you going to bed full of glee
Wishing me ‘good night’ with the sweetest kiss
Why did you, dearest daughter, flee from me?
What's now, tell me, dear, here on earth, my bliss?
Why have you flown far like a migrant bird?
Wishing me ‘good night’ with the sweetest kiss
Loud laughter, that, each morning, I had heard
Are silenced now, all sounds, like muted flutes?
Why have you flown far like a migrant bird?
Far from mundane have you found newer routes?
Midst, the hullabaloo of days and nights
Are silenced now, all sounds, like muted flutes?
You have excelled at the highest of heights
Mocking at my writings, yet, reading them
Midst, the hullabaloo of days and nights
Why, Oh death, have you snatched from me my gem?
14 February 2023
Dear Rico your Lim’s were one of a kind
In them you definitely spoke your mind
Your passing has me in tears
You brought us a-lot of cheers
Meeting you here was a treasured find
* I haven’t been that active on the Soup. I just found out “ our” dear friend and poet Rico has passed. We never met in person, but I truly feel like I lost a friend. I’m heartbroken and in tears. This my tribute to him in the form he excelled in.
02/04/23
Earth, sky, streams, rivers, hills, mountains, oceans and seas,
Herbs, shrubs, plants, trees... fall of water and gentle breeze;
Minerals within the earth; stones and jewels rare,
In divine nature's treasury, each has its share...!
Five elements of nature dare to say each day,
Stories of heaven and earth in their very way;
When creator and creation are well-mingled,
Why any being ever left severely singled...?
Be fruitful; increase in number - the maker said.
Trusting in his graciousness humans went ahead;
Human creations on earth, excelled the nature,
Turned, unfortunately, God a caricature...!
Does any creature fear when a stream flows flawless?
What if waters break all dams and run lawless?
Riches (natural or human-made) is for all,
Accounts need to be given at the divine call...!
27 September 2022
Lizzie performed many tricks,
She excelled at doing the splits,
One day she made the audience gasp
When she split herself in half.
Now Lizzie's act is in two bits
A brilliant British actor, Rik Mayall
excelled as a stand-up comedian,
and displayed fireball creativity
to inspire actors by his approach to sitcom.
A pioneer in the form of alternative comedy,
he tragically ditched another relationship,
eloped with Barabara to marry her
in a rather dramatic manner.
A successful career ended abruptly,
when he died suddenly of heart attack.
The death many considered unexplained,
for he had a strong heart.
It’s not known if he was prompted
by his friends who took their own lives.
He played in tragi comedy scene his last role
to be a member of the 56 club.
______________
September 18, 2022
Contest : Tragi Comedy
Sponsored by : Joe Maverick
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