Home » Poems » L Milton Hankins » Taking the High Road

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

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

Paulette Calasibetta

Date: 10/30/2021 1:01:00 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
Date: 10/30/2021 1:46:00 PM

Thanks so much, Paulette. I really appreciated your read and your thoughtful comment.

Virginia Gelok

Date: 10/27/2021 4:35:00 PM

Congratulations on your win. I love these occasional contests.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/27/2021 9:38:00 PM

Thanks, Virginia. I appreciate your read and your thoughts.

Sam Kauffman

Date: 10/27/2021 10:49:00 AM

Definitely a high road experience Milt. Congratulations for your many layered win!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/27/2021 9:38:00 PM

Thanks, Sam. I do appreciate your thoughts.

Christuraj Alex

Date: 10/26/2021 11:54:00 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
Date: 10/27/2021 9:11:00 AM

Thank you, Christuraj. I appreciate your comment.

Edward Ibeh

Date: 10/26/2021 4:11:00 PM

This fabulous poem shows what a kind-hearted soul you are, Milt:-) Congrats on your win!

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/26/2021 7:07:00 PM

Thank you, Edward. I appreciate your congrats.

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 10/26/2021 3:56:00 PM

Congrats sweet friend. God bless you, Love, Gina

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/26/2021 7:07:00 PM

Thanks, Gina, for your thoughtful Congrats!

Jenna Logan

Date: 10/26/2021 3:15:00 PM

Congratulations on your contest placement, Milt.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/26/2021 7:07:00 PM

Thank you, Jenna, for your kind congratulations.

Arthur Vaso

Date: 10/19/2021 8:11:00 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
Date: 10/19/2021 9:27:00 PM

Arthur, I always enjoy your visits and your comments. Thanks so much.

Maurice Rigoler

Date: 10/18/2021 2:29:00 PM

I wonder how you'd have handled Mr. Trump without charged for murder? / Maurice

Arthur Vaso
Date: 10/19/2021 8:13:00 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
Date: 10/18/2021 5:50:00 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

Date: 10/18/2021 1:25:00 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
Date: 10/18/2021 1:34:00 PM

I reckon so, for he would have sacked her a** first chance he got!

Mike Gentile

Date: 10/18/2021 4:05:00 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
Date: 10/18/2021 8:13:00 AM

Yes, I must agree with you, Mike. How we can live with ourselves should be a standard.

Krish Radhakrishna

Date: 10/17/2021 2:29:00 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
Date: 10/17/2021 2:38:00 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

Date: 10/17/2021 1:23:00 PM

This is an uncommon response and I like where it led both of you. Blessings Rick.

L Milton Hankins
Date: 10/17/2021 1:26:00 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

Date: 10/17/2021 1:09:00 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
Date: 10/17/2021 1:16:00 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.