Home » Poems » L Milton Hankins » Outside the Box

Outside the Box

I walk on the edge of unacceptabilities Experimenting with the bizarre my norm, And I enjoy flouting the accepted form Insulting the more refined sensibilities. I am the product of inquisitive thinking Gleefully stepping outside the box, While the conventional laughs and mocks As its fragile self-esteem is slowing sinking. Yes, my lifestyle thrives on the reckless I'm quite aware many turn up their noses While I show disdain for artificial poses, And the phoniness of the properly feckless. written January 18, 2022

Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem.

Please Login to post a comment

Bill Baker

Date: 1/19/2022 3:46:00 PM

Nice work, Milt. A good way to live one's life I'd say. Each to his or her own, or their on if they're not sure which they are. Bill

L Milton Hankins
Date: 1/19/2022 4:04:00 PM

Thanks, Bill. This is hardly me, but I've known plenty of folks who were more like this than like me.

David Kavanagh

Date: 1/19/2022 2:12:00 PM

Hey I like the sound of this persona Milton, No harm in thinking outside the box, you certainly did in this one, hit them with everything you have and from all directions, some of your ideas will spark off tangents and cascade, might even take on a life of its own, without hidden agendas or phoniness, cheers David

L Milton Hankins
Date: 1/19/2022 3:38:00 PM

Thanks, David, for the read and for the time you took to write this comment. I appreciated it.

Mike Gentile

Date: 1/19/2022 4:38:00 AM

Seem to always color inside the lines. I guess I want people to like me and maybe to a fault! This all bears so much thinking! Good one Milt!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 1/19/2022 8:18:00 AM

Thanks, Mike. I think we all prefer to be liked and admired. I'm certainly not much like the guy in the poem!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 1/18/2022 7:14:00 PM

Ha, ha! Looks as if you took your autobiography, turned it upside down, and here's what spilled out! Pretty good stuff, if I may say so. ~ gw

L Milton Hankins
Date: 1/18/2022 7:51:00 PM

Thanks, gw, so much. This was just a fun write...not me, at all, but maybe a person I'd like to be if I had that kind of courage. Certainly it is somebody out there who may read it and say, "Wow, he has described me!"

Robert Gorelick

Date: 1/18/2022 5:41:00 PM

I believe you are a James Dean-- Holden Caufield reincarnate! Nice!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 1/18/2022 5:47:00 PM

Fiction...pure fiction, my friend. In fact, I'm pretty much the opposite of what I wrote in this poem. I do know people like this, however, and am somewhat envious of them. Thanks for your thoughts, Robert.