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Life On the River

A balance in life can solve the riddle. To find the balance, start in the middle. Distractions from the banks may lead us wrong. Go with the flow where the current is strong. The banks are sirens calling to our ears, offering us pleasures relieving fears. The emotion of love, the fear of pain, tossing and turning, driving us insane. Too much pleasure can lead to addiction, pain and sickness can lead to restriction. Reject their temptations, stay in the flow, the river is wise and knows where to go. Avoid extremes, be content with enough. Life on the river, no need for the fluff.

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Lee Geoghegan

Date: 10/31/2023 5:40:00 PM

Another fine piece Bill, Thanks for the advice my friend!

Bill Baker
Date: 10/31/2023 9:10:00 PM

My personal philosophy for life, Lee. Thanks for following my poetry, I added your name to the poets I follow also. A poet friend in Texas, Bill

Speaks Volumes

Date: 8/30/2023 10:25:00 PM

It feels strange writing a comment straight after Milt. Staying in the middle is great advice Bill. Keep a little aside from when times are good, for when times are tough to assure you will always have enough. Going with the flow, sure is the way to go. Your poem is spot on, Great advice. Love it. 3 MORE PLEASE.. :)

Bill Baker
Date: 10/31/2023 9:12:00 PM

Looks like I missed your comments on all three of these, my friend. Thanks for reading and commenting on my poetry. Have a great week! Bill

L Milton Hankins

Date: 8/18/2022 8:12:00 PM

Bill, I really like this poem a lot. In fact, I spend considerable time sitting along the banks of the Ohio. It's as close as I can get to big water. Soup Mail.

Bill Baker
Date: 8/19/2022 4:36:00 PM

Thanks, Milt, glad he brought back some memories. I'll check my soup mail. Have a great weekend! Bill

Smita Kulkarni

Date: 7/30/2022 11:38:00 AM

Great advice Bill!! Loved reading it!

Bill Baker
Date: 7/30/2022 2:53:00 PM

Thanks for the visit and the comment, Smita. Come again soon. I'll be giving your poetry a visit soon. Bill

Suzanne Delaney

Date: 7/19/2022 5:31:00 AM

Congratulations on your POTD, Bill I love the wisdom, “Go with the flow.” Best, SuZ

Bill Baker
Date: 7/19/2022 4:16:00 PM

Thanks, my friend. Blessings, Bill

Ann Foster

Date: 7/16/2022 10:11:00 AM

avoid extremes... I get that... be content with enough. That is all about peace, inside and out. Love this poem. Well written. May the Lord truly bless your day. Ann

Bill Baker
Date: 7/16/2022 11:00:00 PM

Thank you for the kind comment, Ann. May God bless and keep you. Bill

Michael Tor

Date: 7/15/2022 3:49:00 PM

Bill your Life On The River got recognized at the highest level. Congratulations for receiving POTD. Your message is wonderfully written and cleverly thought of. I enjoyed reading and I appreciate your theme and message. Again Bill CONGRATULATIONS! My friend...

Bill Baker
Date: 7/15/2022 4:46:00 PM

Thank you, Michael, your comments and well wishes are meaningful to me. Have a great day! Bill

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 7/13/2022 7:44:00 AM

Love it all and this: Reject their temptations, stay in the flow, the river is wise and knows where to go.//some great writing, Bill!

Bill Baker
Date: 7/13/2022 4:21:00 PM

Thanks for the kind comments, Kim. Always glad to see you've visited and commented on a poem of mine. Have a blessed day my friend! Bill

Gershon Wolf

Date: 7/12/2022 11:01:00 AM

This is really a great POTD. You have redefined 'river' for me. Wonderful extended metaphor, Bill. I am FAVing this so I can come back to it again and again. Wonderful!!! :) gw

Bill Baker
Date: 7/12/2022 4:08:00 PM

Thanks for your kind comments and the FAV of my poem, Gershon. Your thoughts and comments are always welcome my friend. Have another great day! Bill

Panagiota Romios

Date: 7/11/2022 7:30:00 AM

Belated Congratulations. Sorry, Bill. I have not been feeling well “Too much pleasure can lead to addiction” To me this. Goes beyond drinking or pills …… there can be food, exercise and addiction in many areas. Seeking the approval of others is a biggie. Love “life on the River, no need for fluff” Love, Panagiota xxx

Panagiota Romios
Date: 7/11/2022 10:35:00 AM

Like you,,,Bill just get around and pen poetry. Yes, I Will geT better))( Bless you Bill! Love, Panagiota Xxx

Bill Baker
Date: 7/11/2022 8:19:00 AM

Hope you get to feeling better soon Panagiota. Big hug for you. You're right, there are many additions that most people ignore. I'm learning to be quite content with the blessings I've been given. I'm just happy to still be able to get around and to still write some poetry. Have a blessed day my friend. Bill

Brandy Nicole

Date: 7/10/2022 7:27:00 PM

"be content with enough". Yes, I completely agree. I am content with my surroundings, the many blessings in my life. This is so beautifully written and presented, holding soooo much truth within. Congratulations Bill, on Poem of the Day. I am placing this in my favorites, to read again and again. My best to you, my dear sweet friend. :) Hugs, Brandy

Bill Baker
Date: 7/11/2022 8:20:00 AM

Thank you for your kind and sweet comments and the FAV, Brandy. You make my life a happier experience with your lovely poetry my friend. Hugs, Bill

Sotto Poet

Date: 7/10/2022 7:22:00 PM

Congratulations on your POTD, enjoy this honor.

Bill Baker
Date: 7/11/2022 8:21:00 AM

Thanks Lasaad. It's a nice encouragement to get a POTD every once in a while. Have a great day! Bill

Anne-Lise Andresen

Date: 7/10/2022 1:32:00 PM

- Beautiful written :) - Congratulations on your p.o.t.d., Bill :) - hugs // Anne.Lise :)

Bill Baker
Date: 7/11/2022 8:14:00 AM

Thanks for congrats and the comment, Sunshine. Smiles ~ Blessings Bill

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 7/10/2022 12:51:00 PM

Sadly, some people get thrown into the wrong side of the river, and not by their own choice. Other than that, I agree . I think I am really good at staying in the middle. My number is 5, and it's a middle number!

Bill Baker
Date: 7/11/2022 8:16:00 AM

I just got thrown in without a life jacket a lot. lol Speaking of number my friend. Your number may be 5, but your heart is a 10 to me. :-) Have a fun day! Bill

Robert Gorelick

Date: 7/10/2022 12:51:00 PM

Huckleberry Finn always ran into trouble when he veered off away from the Mississippi. Congratulations on your POTD! Robert

Bill Baker
Date: 7/11/2022 8:13:00 AM

Thanks for the comment, Robert. Huck was one to get in some sticky situations. lol Have a great day! Bill

Constance La France

Date: 7/10/2022 4:57:00 AM

Bill, a beautiful poem and congratulations on receiving the POEM OF THE DAY honor ~Constance

Bill Baker
Date: 7/10/2022 10:39:00 AM

Thank you, Constance, a welcome surprise. I hope all is well with you and yours. Bill

Regina Mcintosh

Date: 7/10/2022 3:03:00 AM

Love this. God bless you friend. Thank you for your beautiful words. Love, Gina

Bill Baker
Date: 7/10/2022 10:39:00 AM

Thank you for the visit and comment, Gina. Smiles ~ Blessings Bill

Jeanette Brewin

Date: 7/9/2022 11:56:00 PM

A very good way of describing life. A good poem, well done. Congratulations on your POTD.

Bill Baker
Date: 7/10/2022 10:41:00 AM

Thank you for your first visit to my poetry, Jeanette, and for the congrats and comment. A poet friend in Texas, Bill

John Watt

Date: 7/9/2022 10:18:00 PM

Bill, great imagery of the river banks being the external forces that entice us to lose balance and distract us from our intended path. Wonderful to see this sonnet acknowledged as POTD today, I celebrate with you ~ John

Bill Baker
Date: 7/10/2022 10:42:00 AM

Thank you my friend. Your thoughts and comments are always meaningful to me. Have a blessed day, Bill

Deb M

Date: 7/9/2022 9:36:00 PM

Beautiful poem BHB and so well deserved POTD…..Really happy for you Bill… Debx

Bill Baker
Date: 7/10/2022 10:43:00 AM

Thank you, Deb. Good to have you visit and comment. This is only my second poem in the last two weeks, it's good to be writing again. lol BHB :-)

Gershon Wolf

Date: 7/9/2022 8:30:00 PM

Really nice to see a sonnet being honored as POTD, just as it's nice to see you, Bill Baker, the man behind the sonnet, honored as well! Congrats, my friend. Light and Luster, Gershon

Bill Baker
Date: 6/27/2023 7:49:00 AM

I just notice, about a year ago, I missed your comment, and didn't reply Gershon. So here it is ... Thanks for being a good friend and visiting and commenting on my poetry. Peace be with you all the days of your life. Bill

I Am Anaya

Date: 7/9/2022 11:40:00 AM

Whole-heartedness shines through your Sonnet Bill. Enlightenment flowing from God--the river one of the most potent symbols! Very Zen...Congratulations on POTD!!!

Bill Baker
Date: 7/9/2022 12:43:00 PM

Thank you for your kind comments, Anaya. Smiles ~ Blessing my friend. Bill

Jim Slaughter

Date: 7/9/2022 10:13:00 AM

I'm glad my "river" has finally carried me to a point where I can fully appreciate that "balance" you mention here, Bill. Congrats on POTD.

Bill Baker
Date: 7/9/2022 12:44:00 PM

I feel the same way Jim. Took a while for me. lol Thanks for commenting, Bill

Karen Jones

Date: 7/9/2022 9:59:00 AM

The poem flows like the river taking us on life's ride despite dilemmas giving wisdom and warnings. Well done!

Bill Baker
Date: 7/9/2022 12:45:00 PM

Thanks for the visit and the comment, Karen. Have a great Day! Bill

L Milton Hankins

Date: 7/9/2022 9:50:00 AM

Congratulations on a well-deserved P.O.T.D., Bill. Enjoy your accolades and well-wishes.

Bill Baker
Date: 7/9/2022 2:11:00 PM

Thank you, Milt. A bit surprised, but thankful for the well wishes of other poets and poetesses. Bill