L Milton Hankins Poet Other

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 October 25, 2022 at 4:57 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 October 25, 2022 at 7:12 PM Ah, my friend, you got it down perfectly! Thanks!

Gershon Wolf October 24, 2022 at 8:38 PM After much contemplation, I can vouch that 'To retire is to play with fire.' ~ Russell Sage L Milton Hankins October 24, 2022 at 8:52 PM Hmmm...I'll have to ponder this a bit, gw.

Shirley Hawkins October 24, 2022 at 2:55 PM That is true and very well put Milt. Grandma knows best, that's for sure. L Milton Hankins October 24, 2022 at 3:19 PM Thanks so much, Shirley. Yes, Grandma was always right!

Caren Krutsinger October 24, 2022 at 11:10 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 October 24, 2022 at 11:58 AM My grandma would be so proud of you, Caren. I am, too.

Michael Tor October 23, 2022 at 10:27 PM Your grandmother was a wise woman Milton. She gave you excellent advice. Really looked out for you. Thanks for sharing... L Milton Hankins October 24, 2022 at 7:37 AM Yes, she certainly did, Michael. She was a very wise Mountain woman!

Elizabeth Mccann October 23, 2022 at 7:45 PM My whole being feels singed by these hot words. I can't read it without flinching. Elizabeth L Milton Hankins October 23, 2022 at 8:59 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.