Time is a river that flows endlessly
Carrying memories and dreams along the way
Sometimes it is calm and gentle, sometimes it is rough and stormy
But time never stops, it never stays
Time is a thief that steals our youth and beauty
Leaving wrinkles and scars in their place
We try to resist it, we try to defy it
We hide and we fight, we run and we chase
Sometimes it is kind and generous, sometimes it is cruel and greedy
But time never regrets, it never delays
Time…
It changes and shapes us, it makes and breaks us
It gives and it takes, it heals and it hurts
It teaches and tests us, it blesses and curses
Time…
It rewards and it punishes, it honors and shames
It surprises and shocks us, it delights and frightens
It inspires and challenges us, it comforts and saddens
But—
Time never stops, it never stays
Time never regrets, it never delays
*I wrote this poem on January 3, 2024, as part of a ’30 days of poetry’ January challenge. This was day 3 and the prompt was: Write a poem about the concept of time passing.
God brightens my hope* with His salvation glow
His blessed redemption makes faith to grow
Indeed freeing against hell’s damnation torture
Assuring my soul eternal triumphant future.
The Lord settles my hope along His ready comfort
As He accompanies with protective escort
Constantly guiding against deceit so vain
By immutable Scriptures that in truth does reign.
Christ my Saviour is my life's resurrection hope
By His compassion, love, and mercy of gracious scope
Helping me to conquer any attacking misery
Since He is the supreme champion of victory.
*Titus 2:13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ.
January 3, 2024
2nd place, "This or That, Vol 22" Poetry Contest
Sponsored by Edward Ibeh; judged on 1/10/2024
To You I Sing
Here I stand at my pew,
Where so many songs of praise are sung in chorus and out of tune,
Of beautiful words with loving phrases that glorify.
But as I sing and follow along, I wonder to whom I am singing to.
Why are the lyrics of “him” and “he”, and not of “you”?
Why do I proclaim to an audience who are out of view?
Are not my words facing forward and to the cross?
Please tell me all, to whom am I supposed to be singing to.
When words tenderly sung confused am I who is in Christ... and Christ in me,
my heart still rejoices with such simple melodies.
And as I come to “him” or “he” I envision you,
Closing my eyes with lifted voice, I focus my song internally.
I direct my voice to my heart and think of thee
and you fill my soul and sing back to me.
Together we sing such a joyful noise,
As I imagine hearing your song sung in splendid harmony.
Thou those who surround me must think I’m odd,
To sing with a wretched voice to you I raise.
Please know I pray to all that they may hear another tune,
And not notice me, but sing to you, and be filled with your thankful praise.
by Martin Braun
January 3, 2024
Legs freeze and numb, held still from south to north
The touch of ants crawling upon my skin
Should I go back or should I still go forth
For, faraway's the place where I have been
Up the wild trail, devious and swirling
Thrilled soul dares to brave the bite of cold
For silver moon there is made of sterling
The gorgeous sunshine glows in shade of gold
*To my fans, don't make wild judgmental guess of my poems' interpretations, even my other poems. It's only me who knows the true meaning of my poems. It's free to read them if you're interested, if not, you have the liberty not to. This site is for lovers of poetry, not for haters.*
January 3, 2024, PST, SP-BC
Far Side of the Moon
Winter and summer begin on a solstice
That marks the shortest and longest days of the year;
Spring and fall arrive with the equinox.
When the sun is closest to the equator
And day and night are of equal hours.
Daily, the Earth spins on its 23.5-degree tilted axis
Called its “obliquity” and orbits the sun once a year.
And this orbital plane gives rise to changing positions
That usher in opposite seasons
In the Northern and Southern Hemispheres.
The Moon orbits the Earth every month
(Synchronized with its rotational spin on its axis)
And spins at the same speed it orbits the Earth
And explains why the near side of the Moon is always in view
As seen from Earth and the far side remains a mystery.
***
Notes:
In October 1959, the USSR spacecraft, Luna 3, transmitted back to Earth the first images of the far side of the Moon (the side unseen from Earth). The Chinese rover Yutu-2 landed on the far side of the Moon on January 3, 2019, and found the lunar soil to be stickier than on the near side facing the Earth.
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.
grim starkness of snow
sturdy in its sleeted falling
willing a bleached landscape
a lushness
that chokes the rough field terrain
strides of power
as the fevered wind
spirals In an unexpected direction
inflates drifts like the arched back of a cat
whitening truant brown borders of decay
to bury even shadows
bare trees by fence lines slump like hollow men
in a protected sanctuary of cold
re-shaping confessions that slip
in winter chill extinction
Poem composed January 3, 2023
*Image of Candle Masquerade by Pixabay.
Symphonic Sconce
(The Candle)
Seasoned succession
Sanctioned section
Soloist strings
Streaming satisfaction
Spirited sheathed
Solidly settles
Sustained symmetry
Stalwart stance
Stage set
Soft shades
Simulacrum sources
Spark stirs
Silhouette styles
Sparkling surfaces
Shining signature
2023 January 03
*Alliteration/Personification
*Image of Lewis Milton Hankins
aloha my friend
a bevy of doves
laurels wrestle a whirlwind
fair plumes coronet
~"The Last Token"~03/22/21
weasels and foxes
snow tracks charging the blizzard
freshness soothes the wit
~"On Bullying"~12/08/22
sun setting a scene
evening stages curtain calls
a hall full of stars
~"Forever in My Heart"~09/03/22
*Narrowing the involvement of his generous enlightenment, even as much as spotlighting these chosen few, I rested upon his constant hope, that 'Their Heart Are Truly Forever'~~Aloha, Milt & Deb, my friends...
2023 January 03
*1st Place*
In Honor of Milt - An Un-contest
~~Andrea Dietrich: Judged 2023 January 16
*HMS.
I knew Milton through his writing on Poetry Soup and his book, "Ashes on the Snow", (2010). A warm and intimate montage of his life experiences.
He was a principled man, whose deep family roots from the Appalachian highlands of West Virginia carried him through-out his life; where he inspired others, through his ministry and through his classical writing of poetry and short stories.
I am grateful to have known him. A tough critic that always added encouraging remarks; tools to hone my poetic writing skills.
I recall his positive comment on one of my Haiku's. He thought I was very good at this form; something he personally found challenging.
Milton leaves a legacy with a poignant and indelible voice, for our poetry community and far beyond.
God Bless you Milton ~ this is for you:
Haiku:
roots of deep passion
sowing dreams, reaping honor
rising with the stars
Date: January 3, 2023
For: In Honor of L. Milton Hankins An Un-Contest Poetry Contest
Sponsored by: Andrea Dietrich
syllables verified on howmanysyllables.com
Eternal life*, God's gift I own preciously... my soul shares wondrously!
*Romans 5:21 ... Even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord.
January 3, 2023
1st place, "The Best Gift" Monoku Writing Contest
Sponsored by JCB Brul; judged on 1/4/2023.
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
Golden rays filter through rustling red leaves
Oscillating fall colors to rhythms of evening
Amid sounds exotic as animals roam freely
Deep into wilderness, where rare birds sing,
Where trees groove merrily to musical winds,
Whirling, weaving motifs of autumnal glee;
While leisurely they stroll, exulting playfully,
Exchanging stolen looks of notions romantic,
Divulging, without words, secret love-missives
Lying dormant, yet simmering for some time,
Virgin passions strumming enamored minds
Revealing now openly, fervent beats of life.
“Oh! how I wish” she says, “to live in a cabin,
lingering timelessly, savoring realm pristine,
of blazing autumn prairies, burbling streams,
wandering to spring reveling your company;”
As moonlit vibes sparkle, love in bashful eyes,
Rejoicing first-ever kiss, blissful in paradise.
January 3, 2023
Placed 7th: Feel Free Poetry Contest
Sponsor: Sara Kendrick
“Autumn leaves don’t fall; they fly. They take their time and wander on this, their only chance to soar.” Owens, Delia. Where the Crawdads Sing.
Based on quote 7 above.
A short stout figure in the forward line of attack,
controlled with skill the darting ball on the green turf.
With the magnetic pair of magical legs like a wizard,
spearheaded the attacking formation across the field.
The opponent defenders had to invent new strategies
to foil his rhythmic moves with the ball toward goalpost,
he could make lyrical way outwitting all their attempts
to see the ball like lightning hit the net behind the bars.
The shining star of his country’s illustrious football team,
he led from the front to win many major tournaments.
A legend in his life time, he was the pride of Argentina,
the creator of poetry in motion, he was Maradona.
_______________
January 3, 2023
Contest : Poetry In Motion
Spinsored by : Matt Caliri
Blinded to my goal,
Out of tune in my pursuit,
I had meandered,
I had wandered.
I had an ingrained ability,
Building it for stability,
I was holding the wrong piece,
Dwelling on lees.
There was a depth,
I had not harnessed,
There was a cleft,
I had not launched into it.
I walk with new eyes,
Still breaking through dawn's ice,
Hunting for balance,
Permuting my thoughts for clearance.
The scales have fallen off,
I journey through the terrain,
Undulating and rough,
Anticipating heaven's rain.
January 3, 2023.
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