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

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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.