Home » Poems » L Milton Hankins » On Criticizing Others

On Criticizing Others

Rein in those opportunities to criticize
Think of all the good things to be said
Remember to see through others’ eyes.

Or sometimes simply resort to sighs.
In disagreement, merely shake your head
Rein in those opportunities to criticize.

Be a bigger person, even if you must disguise
Displeasures weighing on you heavy as lead,
Remember to see through others’ eyes.

If you announce your woes, it’s seldom wise,
Sometimes they are better not to be read
Rein in those opportunities to criticize!

Is it that you get joy when someone cries?
How easily you could’ve another’s feelings fed
Remember to see through others’ eyes.

For being disagreeable you’ll win no prize,
Hatefulness and sharp words are best unsaid,
Remember to see through others’ eyes, 
Rein in those opportunities to criticize. 

Written December 5, 2022

#54 on Top 100 New Poems List
Poetry Soup
December 11, 2022

#50 on Top 100 New Poems List
Poetry Soup
December 12, 2022

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Annie Lander

Date: 4/24/2025 9:04:00 AM

Is it that you get joy when someone cries? How easily you could’ve another’s feelings fed Remember to see through others’ eyes. love these lines

Sandra L. Weiss

Date: 1/5/2023 6:27:00 AM

Your star continues to light the sky.

Demetrios Trifiatis

Date: 12/28/2022 12:20:00 PM

I am going to miss you, my dear friend. You will forever live in my heart. Rest In Peace in God's domain!

Marco Chies

Date: 12/22/2022 12:49:00 PM

YES!!!! Your poem is in the 100 best poems!!!! CONGRATULATIONS, Milton, I'm proud to be your friend!!!

John Watt

Date: 12/12/2022 11:21:00 AM

Milt, I really enjoyed the way you crafted your Villanelle and especially the positive message of reining in the tendency to criticize. It isn't that hard to focus on giving support and encouragement, and let the negativity remain unspoken. Congrats for your POTD honor. I hope all is well ~ John

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/12/2022 12:51:00 PM

Thanks so much, John. It is always good to hear from you and read your thoughtful comments. I appreciate it.

Karen Jones

Date: 12/11/2022 1:08:00 AM

Been away for months and today my birthday you win a top spot. This is a great advise poem. Congrats! Have fun on your trip. I will be at the NC Chinese Lantern Festival tonight!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/11/2022 9:12:00 AM

Welcome back and thanks, Karen. Enjoy yourself.

Mike Gentile

Date: 12/9/2022 3:56:00 AM

Been away for a couple of days and I missed this!! Wonderful Milt, these sentiments are what the world needs and I could not agree more! You created and expressed this so beautifully, it should be kept close at hand as a potent reminder! Congratulations!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/9/2022 5:45:00 AM

Thank you so much, Mike. I think so myself. Have a wonderful Friday! I'm off to Puerta Vallarta on Tuesday. Staying a week.

Elizabeth Mccann

Date: 12/8/2022 1:40:00 PM

A very astute piece, Milton. A tenet of mine is that the negative critic is so empty him/herself that identity can only be constructed by setting up walls and lobbing grenades over them!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/8/2022 7:10:00 PM

There's so much truth in your thoughtful and thought-provoking comment, Elizabeth. I can't thank you enough for it.

Valsa George

Date: 12/8/2022 1:30:00 AM

" Hatefulness and sharp words are best unsaid, Remember to see through others’ eyes," These lines remind me of the wise sayings in Proverbs in the Bible. How better, it is to avoid criticism and find beauty where one can. Congratulations Milton on your POTD.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/8/2022 8:52:00 AM

Thank you so much for your thoughtful and meaningful comment, Valsa.

Eve Roper

Date: 12/7/2022 8:35:00 PM

Congratulations on your POTD

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/7/2022 8:41:00 PM

Thank you so much, Eve. It's always good to hear from you.

Robert Gorelick

Date: 12/7/2022 6:10:00 PM

Congratulations on your POTD Milt! Lincoln advised that when we're enraged at someone, we should write an angry letter, then tear it up! Good advice! Robert

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/7/2022 8:41:00 PM

That is very good advice...most of the time, Robert. Occasionally, however, I believe we need to let people know we are angry and why!

I Am Anaya

Date: 12/7/2022 5:24:00 PM

Great message here. Let's also keep joy, peace and hope at least until Groundhog Day!;D Congratulations on your Poem of the Day L Milton Hankins!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/7/2022 8:42:00 PM

Thanks, Anaya. I'll certainly try.

Tania Kitchin

Date: 12/7/2022 4:23:00 PM

Milt, a great poem with a great message, congratulations on POTD!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/7/2022 5:11:00 PM

Thank you so much, Tania. I appreciate it.

Sotto Poet

Date: 12/7/2022 3:42:00 PM

Congratulations on your POTD honor, Milt. This a lovely poem with great wisdom and compassion.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/7/2022 4:13:00 PM

Thank you so very much, Lasaad. I appreciate you.

Malabika Ray Choudhury

Date: 12/7/2022 3:05:00 PM

Congratulations, Dear Milton, on your POTD. "Remember to see through others’ eyes." - this is to me, the loveliest and wisest line. Warm wishes ~ Mala

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/7/2022 4:14:00 PM

Thanks so much, Mala. I always enjoy hearing from you.

Arlo Parker

Date: 12/7/2022 12:35:00 PM

"Remember to see through others’ eyes"... Good for all of us. Gobsmacking bullies and trolls just begets more bullies and trolls. ~;)

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/7/2022 12:35:00 PM

Thank you, Arlo. I appreciate your thoughts.

Susan Lawrence

Date: 12/7/2022 12:24:00 PM

Milton , So wise and poignant. I like to take the high road and see the good in others . Compassion is a gift. Congratulations on POTD ! Hugs, Susan :)

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/7/2022 12:36:00 PM

Me, too, Susan; although, I must admit, that sometimes I need to get some of these things off my chest. Better to get it out than to let it fester!

Ken Rone

Date: 12/7/2022 11:52:00 AM

Milt: I've always considered you the master of the villanelle, (Mr. Thomas excepted). Great sentiments. "As you go through life, friends come and go but enemies can accumulate ". Congrats on another POTD. Best - Ken

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/7/2022 12:37:00 PM

Thank you, Ken. I appreciate your thoughts and nice compliment.

Jim Slaughter

Date: 12/7/2022 11:05:00 AM

An excellent piece of advice, L M...and also for POTD. Something we all should/could learn...the difference between "critique" and "criticize".

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/7/2022 12:37:00 PM

Thank you so much, Jim.

Miranda Hawley

Date: 12/7/2022 11:01:00 AM

Congrats on your win! This is epic. Now what if this was learned on 1. views of Trump, 2. views of religion, (Muslim, Christian, atheist, others) 3. views of Fox news and or Ben Shapiro? And yes, I've very much listed issues that I know are divisive and issues that people have strong feelings over. I mean our world would be an epically better place.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/7/2022 12:38:00 PM

I'm sure it would be, Miranda. Thanks for your comment.

Bill Baker

Date: 12/7/2022 8:24:00 AM

Congratulations on your POTD, Milt. Very wise thoughts conveyed, my friend.I want be very active this month due to Sara having surgery and caring for her, but hope to be back to normal in Jan. Enjoy your day! Bill

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/7/2022 8:58:00 AM

Thank you so much for the congratulations, Bill. I appreciate it. I hope Sara gets along well and recovers quickly.

Jenna Logan

Date: 12/7/2022 8:13:00 AM

Criticism is a folly that often leads the chided one(s) to retaliate in kind. That's not written to condone the action. Though some may not comprehend the reasoning behind your write, Milt, I do and congratulate you on it having been recognized as the poem of the day.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 12/7/2022 8:15:00 AM

Thanks so much, Jenna. It will be read more widely, and for that I am most grateful.