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A Chasm In Soup Creek

All heads are bowed in Soup Creek today The town’s elder statesman has passed on his way A gentleman true whose tongue wasn’t forked To whom people listened whenever he talked But when others spoke he would cheer or applaud Whatever their nation, whomever their Lord His words rarely barbed and only when apt And usually only when friends were attacked The name of this man, held so high in the rankings None other than L (call me Milt) Milton Hankins A man of belief with a deep ingrained faith Who found time aplenty for each stray and waif It’s quiet today in the town of Soup Creek There’s a humungous chasm… so to speak It’s like something’s missing for one and for all It’s like someone’s stolen the church and town hall Soup Creek, a town with its spirit ripped out But Milton left town as a man in no doubt That Soup Creek would thrive on his foundations laid His legacy being the friends that he’d made A sage and a mentor whose work here is done A scribe with adventures, brand new, just begun I dreamed in the night that a light lit his land And his good lady wife said, “Milt, take my hand.”

Copyright © | Year Posted 2022




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Date: 2/25/2023 2:06:00 AM
An interesting situation in Soup Creek, Terry, and a good read. Thank you.
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Date: 1/2/2023 3:36:00 PM
A perfect tribute to a loved and respected gentleman. I miss him. That is beautifully put, Terry. Take care and Happy New Year. Shirley
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Terry Flood
Date: 1/2/2023 3:39:00 PM
Thank you, Shirley. It’s been said that my words have spoken for many. If that is so, then I’m humbled. A happy new year to you too. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 8:24:00 PM
Brilliant, Terry. Fighting back a tear. It's been a hard year for us at Poetry Soup. Love your positive vibe in this poem, though our cup is a little less full, we still have Milt's poems and comments to keep his memory and legacy alive. "The town’s elder statesman has passed on his way". Congrats, and warm wishes for a happy new year, my friend ~ John
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Terry Flood
Date: 1/2/2023 2:58:00 PM
Thanks so much, John. Writing the unfunny is almost alien to me, so it took ages to start anything that didn’t go straight to trash. ultimately I was delighted to write something worthy of posting and astounded at the response my words received. If there is an ‘upstairs’ I hope Milt has a big smug grin on his face. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 8:23:00 PM
My eyes are misty with your final thought. Even though we miss Milton more than words can express, we know he missed his wife so much. He's where he wanted to be. Still, it leaves our hearts feeling empty. Your thoughts caress softly around me. Let's keeping writing and lifting other's up. Milton would want us to continue on. Congratulations Terry, on Poem of the Day. My best to you, in the New Year. Hugs, Brandy
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Terry Flood
Date: 1/2/2023 3:05:00 PM
Thank you, Brandy. So many people have said ‘it’s where Milt wanted to be’ that his passing seems somehow easier. Have a great 2023. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 4:23:00 PM
That (last couplet) sure is a sweet denouement, Terry. Congratulations on POTD! ~ Gershon
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 5:08:00 PM
Thanks, Gershon. Wife, partner, friend or parent, wouldn’t that be a departure to warmly welcome? Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 3:09:00 PM
You really caught the essence of our dear departed friend. His generous poems will long be remembered as will this kind man. Congratulations on your POTD! Robert
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 5:04:00 PM
I’m sure you’re right, Robert. Thank you. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 1:46:00 PM
Congratulations for this special POTD :)
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 5:04:00 PM
Thank you, Heidi. Appreciated. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 1:21:00 PM
- Soup Creek will honor this man...he will never be forgotten - Congratulations on your lovely p.o.t.d., Terry - Happy New Year - Anne-Lise :)
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 5:03:00 PM
Thank you, Anne-Lise. I’m sure Milt will live on in our hearts and minds and in these pages for new Soupers to discover. A happy new year to you too. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 12:19:00 PM
Congratulations on the well deserved POTD, Terry. A beautiful tribute to a friend we all going to miss, RIP, Milt. Thanks for your great poem.
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 4:47:00 PM
And thank you, Sotto. We should remember Milt for so many reasons, not least his poetry. I’m guessing he’s up there now asking his Deb to pass him a pen. I hope so. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 11:28:00 AM
A wonderful dream, at the end. Gave me chills! Terry, Congrats on POTD! <3
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 4:40:00 PM
Thank you, Kim. I would so love to think it happened exactly like that. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 10:57:00 AM
I feel so much beautiful emotion with everything I read of yours Terry! Congratulations on once again making us all think. And leaving us all in awe of you <3
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 4:38:00 PM
You say the nicest things A.S. You can call again. Seriously, I was damned near fretting as each write I tried failed to encompass the essence of Milt. This really was pretty much a last chance saloon. Glad I stuck it out. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 8:58:00 AM
Congratulations, Terry, on your POTD. Well written thoughts of a fine man. Enjoy your special day. Bill
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 4:28:00 PM
Milt was clearly a hugely respected man. No surprise to anyone here though. Nice to hear from you, Bill. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 8:45:00 AM
Terry my friend I do agree with all you say in your awesome poem you wrote about Milton. He was an honest, good, down to earth, salt of the earth kind of person. We only started exchanging comments this year - Congratulations by the score for this sad but excellent write for which you were awarded with the honor of POTD. I am deeply sorry at his passing, Hugs and blessings, Jennifer.
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 4:25:00 PM
I think you may have just said it all better than I, Jennifer. Thanks for your congratulations. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 8:21:00 AM
Wonderful tribute to Milt, Terry. Congratulations on POTD. Many blessings my friend
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 4:24:00 PM
Glad it ‘worked’ for you, Eve. Many thanks for your congrats. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 7:57:00 AM
Just lovely ! What a tribute to Milt honoring his legacy , sage advice and kindness to all . Rest in Peace Milt .Great job Terry ! Congratulations on POTD ! Susan :)
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 4:21:00 PM
Thank you, Susan. In spite of the circumstances surrounding this poem, it’s been humbling to have given so many the chance to air their thoughts and feelings toward Milt. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 7:18:00 AM
Terry, a beautiful tribute to Milt. He was a great member of poetry soup. He would be honored by your poem. Congratulations on POTD~ Warren
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 11:58:00 AM
He was that, Warren, and all these comments and other tributes underline the fact. Thanks for your congrats. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 6:55:00 AM
This is a powerful tribute Terry. Nicely done. Congratulations on the honor of your POTD.
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 11:55:00 AM
Thank you, Linda. It’s weird thinking that ordinarily, Milt would have been among the first with his congratulations. It’ll take some getting used too. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 6:41:00 AM
Congratulations on your POTD win. WOW!!! What a wonderful tribute/story/write to Milton. Love your ending. He talked about her from time to time. Guess they are back together. Have a great/blessed New Year 2023.................
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 11:46:00 AM
Would dearly love to have used Deb’s name but the rhyme wasn’t having any of it. I seem to have got away with it. It would be a pretty poor hereafter if loved ones don’t reconnect, so here’s hoping. Thank you, Paula. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 6:05:00 AM
A beautiful tribute to Milton, He made this site a much better place. He will be missed, Congrats on POTD Terry
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 11:43:00 AM
He sure will, Joseph. Thank you. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 6:03:00 AM
Dear Terry, your tribute to Milton brought tears to my eyes again! You have described his personality and his passing in a beautiful poem. "a humungous chasm…" so true indeed. Rest in peace, Milt. Congratulations on your POTD honour, Terry.
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 11:41:00 AM
Thank you, Malabika. It’s an honour with a sharp edge, but I am grateful to have received it. Glad my poem worked for you. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 5:57:00 AM
When you posted this, my comment was, "worthy of being faved." Even more worthy of being recognized as todays Poem of the Day. Its sentiments touch so many of us. Congratulations, Terry.
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 11:35:00 AM
Thanks again, Lin. It is heartening to see all the praise and positive vibes for Milt. He has certainly made his mark in Soup. Let’s hope it proves to be indelible. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 5:36:00 AM
Terry, your tribute to Milt, is so beautiful, he was all you write to many. My heart has been heavy these past days, he touched my heart and so has your poem. Congratulations on your deserving POEM OF THE DAY, Constance
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 11:28:00 AM
Thanks, Constance. Took a fair few discarded attempts, but when I took the Soup Creek approach, suddenly it all came together. Happy it found favour, unhappy to have had cause to write it. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 4:11:00 AM
So beautifully written honoring a great poet and a great man . He will live long through his verse. Your beautifully rhyming poem though began on a tragic tone has ended on a happy note with his partner in Heaven offering her hand. Congratulations Terry on this well deserved POTD
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 11:05:00 AM
Thank you, Valsa. It’s hard to imagine Milt’s face gradually moving down the leader board. Alas, it’s inevitable. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 3:57:00 AM
Beautiful tribute to our dear Milt ~ may he RIP ~ congratulations on POTD, Terry … prayers
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 9:18:00 AM
Thank you US. I’ve read many glowing tributes to Milt, your own included. All could have justified POTD, so I’m pleased with the honour. Terry
Date: 12/31/2022 3:42:00 AM
Great tribute Terry! He was a big fan of the Soup Creek Sagas and he would love this!! Congratulations on POTD!!! Enjoy the day and your well deserved honor.
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Terry Flood
Date: 12/31/2022 3:52:00 AM
Thanks, Sheriff. I’d like to think he’d approve. Terry
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