Bill Baker Poet Sonnet

Notes About The Poem

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 addition,
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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Miranda Hawley July 11, 2025 at 7:54 PM I like balance as a solution to the riddle. I love reading Shakespearian sonnets. Great job. Bill Baker July 12, 2025 at 8:43 PM Thank you, my friend. You are very encouraging to me. Bless you, Miranda. Bill

Bj Legros Kelley July 11, 2025 at 12:09 AM So beautiful and true Bill, why fight the current, just flow. I love the last two lines, 'Avoid extremes, be content with enough. Life on the river, no need for the fluff.' True, so very true! Bill Baker July 11, 2025 at 11:46 AM Thanks for the uplifting comments, BJ. Good to be back and writing poetry again. Have a pleasant weekend, my friend. Bill

Paige Hind July 10, 2025 at 7:22 PM A lovely sonnet- so hopeful! Bill Baker July 10, 2025 at 8:57 PM Thank you for the encouraging comment, Paige. Have a great weekend! Bill

Daniel Henry Rodgers July 10, 2025 at 2:42 PM Hello Bill, Your words are like a wise friend sitting beside a campfire, offering gentle guidance with a knowing smile. “A balance in life can solve the riddle. / To find the balance, start in the middle.” I love how you cut right to the heart of what so many of us struggle with, finding that elusive middle ground where life feels steady and true. Summer Blessings, My Friend, Daniel Bill Baker July 10, 2025 at 6:16 PM Thanks for the visit and kind comment, Daniel. Your comments are always uplifting and thoughtful. Bill

Janice Canerdy July 10, 2025 at 2:06 PM Your profoundly meaningful analogy is sustained throughout this excellent sonnet, Bill. I especially like the last three lines. Janice Bill Baker July 10, 2025 at 6:17 PM Thank you for your thoughtful comments, Janice. Nice to have you visit again. Smiles ~ Blessings Bill

Anne-Lise Andresen July 10, 2025 at 10:45 AM - Most of us will have poorer balance as we get older, Bill... "the river is wise and knows where to go" - A great poem :) - hugs

Richard Lamoureux July 10, 2025 at 5:52 AM I enjoyed this poem about a river that was much more than a poem about a river.

Kim Rodrigues July 10, 2025 at 4:17 AM I enjoyed your poem! We need to be careful to balance. Boredom can cause one to go straight for pain and needless suffering. Better to depend on God for life of abundance. God bless, Bill!

Abdullah Alhemaidy July 9, 2025 at 12:48 PM Balance in life is not that easy, but so good! Your poem reminds me of river market in Thailand, all stores (shops) and buyers on boats and dinghies.

Jay Narain July 9, 2025 at 11:08 AM Nice sonnet. Love to go with the flow.

Terry Flood July 9, 2025 at 11:04 AM A smashing write, Bill. going with the flow seems a good idea to me…. Who knows what’s in your path, but you’ll end at the sea… and who doesn’t like the sea.