Home » Poems » L Milton Hankins » Playing With Fire

Playing With Fire

Play with fire; you get burned [adage from grandma] her tongue from a red-hot tong beware the flaming coal upon your lips turn back, child of mine, to be birned by bitter words eschew the heated branding iron insensitive angry to the innocent Karma brings in kind to suffer you still while hurt is raw inside you and pain lingers long mark of the most angry beast red scab of tissue easily recognized tail tattoo not erased by repentance sad lingers to remind the soul of false words spoken Written October 23, 2022 [Playing with the Seguidilla introduced by Jeff Kyser]

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Marco Chies

Date: 10/25/2022 4:57:00 PM

Yes, there is a lot to be investigated here... a text that seems initially prosaic with allusion to grandma and her popular sayings, is actually bringing an almost mystical lyricism, where the words intentionally seem to reveal and hide something too intimate to be shown openly. Well, I can only say that I enjoyed it a lot and now you owe me an explanation of this text, Milton! lol lol lol

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/25/2022 7:12:00 PM

Ah, my friend, you got it down perfectly! Thanks!

Gershon Wolf

Date: 10/24/2022 8:38:00 PM

After much contemplation, I can vouch that 'To retire is to play with fire.' ~ Russell Sage

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/24/2022 8:52:00 PM

Hmmm...I'll have to ponder this a bit, gw.

Shirley Hawkins

Date: 10/24/2022 2:55:00 PM

That is true and very well put Milt. Grandma knows best, that's for sure.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/24/2022 3:19:00 PM

Thanks so much, Shirley. Yes, Grandma was always right!

Caren Krutsinger

Date: 10/24/2022 11:10:00 AM

I used to just throw words out. Now I keep them in my head a little longer before I dispell them. "beware the flaming coal upon your lips" so this works for me.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/24/2022 11:58:00 AM

My grandma would be so proud of you, Caren. I am, too.

Michael Tor

Date: 10/23/2022 10:27:00 PM

Your grandmother was a wise woman Milton. She gave you excellent advice. Really looked out for you. Thanks for sharing...

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/24/2022 7:37:00 AM

Yes, she certainly did, Michael. She was a very wise Mountain woman!

Elizabeth Mccann

Date: 10/23/2022 7:45:00 PM

My whole being feels singed by these hot words. I can't read it without flinching. Elizabeth

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/23/2022 8:59:00 PM

My grandma was very adamant when she would say, "If you play with fire, you will get burned." I have realized the truth and value of her words my entire life. Thank you, Elizabeth.