L Milton Hankins | + Follow Poet |
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Curse Words

We sing “Holy is thy name, O Lord,”
Yet attach it to every unsavory word
Then euphemizing, we say “gall-durn,”
It seems like we will never learn!

We pray “Hallowed be thy name,”
Forgetting our curses mean the same
We even go so far as to say “Holy Sh*t,”
And rarely consider what we mean by it.

I must plead guilty too often saying
Words that wouldn’t be fit for praying
And when I lose my temper, most often,
I spit out words like nails in my coffin.

written December 21, 2021

Copyright © L Milton Hankins | Year Posted 2021

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Eve Roper Date: 12/24/2021 6:32:00 AM Milt, brought up very devote old fashion Catholic I really try not to use that kind of language. My parents didn't spare the rod it was pretty sever so at a very young age I learned better. When I stub my toe all I do is grit my teeth and take a second to let the pain ease like I did last night... my husband always shock that I wouldn't say anything. What do you say... Don't get me wrong I do use words , but not like a sailor and never use the Lord name.. It's like calling my mother and father a name when they are innocent of anything. Now my husband of 20 years in the service was very bad... but he did try not to Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/24/2021 9:10:00 AM Good to hear this, Eve. I really appreciated your contribution to the poem's intent. I have to admit I sometimes let them rip, but I don't like it in myself or others. My father was a sailor, so we had lots of cursing in my home when I was a kid.

Victor Buhagiar Date: 12/23/2021 1:40:00 AM I was acting as a supervisor one day and two men got in a fight. One of the, after a lot of blasphemes, came to me and said he'd swear before God he was correct. I asked him if God had heard his blasphemes. A true story. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/23/2021 8:07:00 AM (chuckling) Yes, indeed. You know I've often wondered if God hears each individual utterance. My grandma used to say when we said a curse word, "the angels are crying." Made us feel so bad!

Caren Krutsinger Date: 12/23/2021 12:50:00 AM So many of us are guilty of these "other" non-praying words. I am always praying I will not say one at school. Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/24/2021 9:12:00 AM (chuckling) Well, if you let one slip, be sure to do it "under your breath!" Caren, I can't imagine you swearing at school, although I'm sure you get provoked. You have such a beautiful spirit about you, it would seem totally out of character.

Alexis Y. Date: 12/22/2021 6:26:00 PM Hi Milt, I try my best not to curse or use the lord's name in vain. But I’m not perfect and end up doing the thing that I don’t want do (like in Romans 7). Cursing like a sailor( sometimes). Like always you penned my friend. Have a good evening:-) Alexis Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/22/2021 6:50:00 PM Thank you so much, Alexis. Amazing the euphemisms we use to camouflage "the Lord's name in vain." An interesting subject to explore.

Terry Flood Date: 12/22/2021 3:42:00 PM We all do it, Milt. I’m quite big on ‘Jesus Fu**ing Christ Almighty’ (say, if I just hammered my thumb)… Now, here’s the weird bit… I’ve made no secret of the fact that I lie somewhere between atheist and agnostic, and yet if I utter that particular curse, I always mutter a silent apology… not sure why, just always have. Terry Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/22/2021 6:12:00 PM Honest, Terry, I would say. When I hit my thumb, I say something similar or, "Jesus H. Christ! Interesting that we often say words that translate to God in our cursing, i.e. "Gosh Darn" is actually God Damn, you know. It's an interesting study, frankly. My grandmother always said, "Well, you might as well say it, 'cause that's what you mean!" She was right. Thanks for your thoughts on my poem.

Deb M Date: 12/22/2021 3:09:00 PM Hi Milton….I swear! Can I join the Club Milton? Ha! Debx Login to Reply Deb M Date: 12/22/2021 6:23:00 PM And that’s how it should be!!!! L Milton Hankins Date: 12/22/2021 6:13:00 PM Hmmm...a lot of honesty coming out of the woodwork here, eh?

Eve Roper Date: 12/22/2021 2:58:00 PM So many people do, Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/22/2021 6:14:00 PM Yes, and the point of my poem is that we seldom realize (or simply don't think) that the euphemism is really just as incriminating as the word we are using it to replace. How often does "jeez" replace Jesus??? Pretty often.

Jan Allison Date: 12/22/2021 1:47:00 PM I do try my best not to swear Milton but sometimes there is no alternative lol and I try not use curse words in my poetry especially on soup, we went to a poetry event where a poet's every other word was sh*te - my hubby walked out!:-) hugs Jan xx Login to Reply L Milton Hankins Date: 12/22/2021 6:15:00 PM Interesting. But you know, Jan, in truth I suppose we are better off using the euphemism...we should just understand that it IS a euphemism. Right?