L Milton Hankins Poet Rubaiyat

Be Aware, My Friend

Beware the tenderness of anyone’s toes
Especially that of your friends and foes,
For pain, they say, is its own reward
Can be magnified with additional woes.

Carefully measure your daily deplored
Consider exactly what you can afford,
Wise to keep in mind the old, old saying
A pen is mightier than the sharpest sword.

Eschew the obnoxious mouthy braying
Think about those words you are saying,
Not easily embracing mundane compliance
Your time better spent in earnest praying.

Be skeptical of those who seek alliance
For they have capacity to offer defiance,
For your actions they do not think right
When you are seeking a friendly reliance.

Be aware, my friend, of every slight
Keep both friends and enemies in sight,
And walk your own paths in caution
Especially when strolling in darkest night.


Edited and re-written October 3, 2021
(not for a contest)

♡Like0

Share Poem

---

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

Caren Krutsinger October 6, 2021 at 12:41 PM You surely nailed "braying" with this one " Eschew the obnoxious mouthy braying Think about those words you are saying," Bravo Hank. Bravo!

Sotto Poet October 4, 2021 at 10:02 AM This is the greatest poem I've read since beginning my PS experience, Milton. The poem is well-crafted and concise, with evident regard for the practice of phrasing and use. This is a new form for me, but I'll give it a go. Thank you for sharing this insight. L Milton Hankins October 4, 2021 at 12:06 PM Wow, what a wonderful compliment coming from you, Lasaad. I am enjoying tinkering around with this form. It is not as easy as it looks. Give it a go!

Christopher Flaherty October 4, 2021 at 9:21 AM 11 out of 7 L.Milton To many lines to name but 1. In fact probably 1 of if not your very best work I have had the pleasure to read to date. What sprang yo mind initially was your opening line. Tenderness of toes. It's my crude definition of what love actually means due to or based on my mother saying all she needed when she went to bed at night was my dad's toes touching hers L Milton Hankins October 4, 2021 at 12:10 PM Thank you so very much, Christopher. What nice things to say! I truly appreciate your read and your person story about your mother. Christopher Flaherty October 4, 2021 at 9:22 AM Thanking you Sir absolutely loved reading this today. As it made mine

Unseeking Seeker October 4, 2021 at 9:01 AM Beautifully crafted Milton! We won’t live long, so let’s shrug and move on! L Milton Hankins October 4, 2021 at 12:11 PM I think you are right on-target, Unseeking Seeker. It pays to keep this in mind as we go from day to day. I really appreciate your thoughts.

Sally Eslinger October 3, 2021 at 10:19 PM Hi, L Milton, some weighty tho true advice. A very lot to think about" I hope nothing awful happened to inspire this. The poem itself is so well constructed and concise, with obvious respect for process of words choice and usage. I will recall these thoughts. Be well! L Milton Hankins October 4, 2021 at 7:39 AM Thank you so much, Sally. No, no awful things happened. Just some good advice that seemed to explode out of my head. Thanks, too, for your comments on the process. I really appreciated them.

Arthur Vaso October 3, 2021 at 8:55 PM Very well written, and wise words! L Milton Hankins October 4, 2021 at 7:40 AM Arthur, thanks so much. Good to be hearing from you. I have been enjoying some of your poems recently.

Judy Ball October 3, 2021 at 8:51 PM Excellent Milton As the saying goes, "Keep your friends close and your enemies closer." Good stuff. A fave. God Bless, JB L Milton Hankins October 4, 2021 at 7:41 AM So true, JB. Also, it is always good to remember that the friend of your enemy is not your friend, right?