L Milton Hankins | + Follow Poet |
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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 Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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! Login to Reply 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! Login to Reply 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! Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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! Login to Reply 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 Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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!! Login to Reply 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! Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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. Login to Reply 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.