L Milton Hankins Poet Free verse

Taking the High Road

It is not easy to take the high road
When you have been wronged,
Especially when it was deliberate,
A concerted effort to hurt you.
As a store manager my job was coveted
By many, but Susan tried the hardest
I even heard her on the telephone
Dissing me to our general manager.
Instead of firing her on the spot
Which I had enough evidence to do,
I talked to her about her behavior
And explained why it had to stop.
From then on, I bent over backwards
To help her achieve her very best
So, when I left the job for another
I recommended that she replace me
Learning basic ethics and respect
Made all the difference in the world
For Susan … and for me, as well.

SIXTH PLACE WINNER
written October 17, 2021
especially for "The High Road" Poetry Contest
sponsored by Regina McIntosh

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Paulette Calasibetta October 30, 2021 at 1:01 PM Kudos Milton....you certainly 'turned the other cheek' and the world is a better place for it! Congratulations on your win. Blessings, Paulette L Milton Hankins October 30, 2021 at 1:46 PM Thanks so much, Paulette. I really appreciated your read and your thoughtful comment.

Virginia Gelok October 27, 2021 at 4:35 PM Congratulations on your win. I love these occasional contests. L Milton Hankins October 27, 2021 at 9:38 PM Thanks, Virginia. I appreciate your read and your thoughts.

Sam Kauffman October 27, 2021 at 10:49 AM Definitely a high road experience Milt. Congratulations for your many layered win! L Milton Hankins October 27, 2021 at 9:38 PM Thanks, Sam. I do appreciate your thoughts.

Christuraj Alex October 26, 2021 at 11:54 PM A very beautiful way of punishing. Noble! Making the person realize the folly as well to sit on the same seat, be in the shoes and learn. Congratulations! L Milton Hankins October 27, 2021 at 9:11 AM Thank you, Christuraj. I appreciate your comment.

Edward Ibeh October 26, 2021 at 4:11 PM This fabulous poem shows what a kind-hearted soul you are, Milt:-) Congrats on your win! L Milton Hankins October 26, 2021 at 7:07 PM Thank you, Edward. I appreciate your congrats.

Regina Mcintosh October 26, 2021 at 3:56 PM Congrats sweet friend. God bless you, Love, Gina L Milton Hankins October 26, 2021 at 7:07 PM Thanks, Gina, for your thoughtful Congrats!

Jenna Logan October 26, 2021 at 3:15 PM Congratulations on your contest placement, Milt. L Milton Hankins October 26, 2021 at 7:07 PM Thank you, Jenna, for your kind congratulations.

Arthur Vaso October 19, 2021 at 8:11 PM I found this poem to be very touching, sometimes I wish there was a good for me to express this, without seeming as I am preaching it, if you know what I mean. Great write! L Milton Hankins October 19, 2021 at 9:27 PM Arthur, I always enjoy your visits and your comments. Thanks so much.

Maurice Rigoler October 18, 2021 at 2:29 PM I wonder how you'd have handled Mr. Trump without charged for murder? / Maurice Arthur Vaso October 19, 2021 at 8:13 PM First my heart felt condolences on your loss, she sure sounded like a wonderful woman to me!! And I find it also kinda nice, no matter who we are, we all have these thoughts at times! L Milton Hankins October 18, 2021 at 5:50 PM Okay, I'm going to tell you (secretly) this story. When my Deb was dying of cancer, she said if she had a pistol she'd go to Washington and shoot the SOB. As she said, "What could they do to me?" I know I should not tell this story publicly, but it's a true story. Deb absolutely despised him.

Caren Krutsinger October 18, 2021 at 1:25 PM It was nice that you took the time and had the patience and empathy to do this. She was lucky Trump was not her boss. L Milton Hankins October 18, 2021 at 1:34 PM I reckon so, for he would have sacked her a** first chance he got!

Mike Gentile October 18, 2021 at 4:05 AM A great example Milton! Well penned and expressed, I love the idea of taking the "high Road" that's the way I feel is best and yet it doesn't always yield the desired results save for the way I feel about myself which I suppose is the most important thing! Happy Monday!! L Milton Hankins October 18, 2021 at 8:13 AM Yes, I must agree with you, Mike. How we can live with ourselves should be a standard.

Krish Radhakrishna October 17, 2021 at 2:29 PM That is very nice Milton!! That is the common theme in this world!! You did well!! I am not sure, I would have recommended her to take my vacated post, but would have left it to open competition! Very nicely done and good luck in the contest! L Milton Hankins October 17, 2021 at 2:38 PM Thank you, Krish, for your insightful and thoughtful comment. In that particularly case, I only had about four people who were eligible to become the store manager, and she was the most qualified. I did not penalize her for her earlier behavior. For me, that was the right thing to do.

Richard Lamoureux October 17, 2021 at 1:23 PM This is an uncommon response and I like where it led both of you. Blessings Rick. L Milton Hankins October 17, 2021 at 1:26 PM Thanks, Richard. It always pays to salvage a good employee, if at all possible, I think. Your response was most welcome and appreciated. Hope you are having a wonderful weekend, Richard.

Karen Jones October 17, 2021 at 1:09 PM Wow what strength of character you have. I think this is a great poem for all to learn from. Good luck in the contest. L Milton Hankins October 17, 2021 at 1:16 PM ah, thanks, Karen. I don't know that that's true, but I'll take it!!!! This is a true account of something that really happened with a bit of fiction to make it work here.