Solitude In Academia

Homer, Aristotle, Hobbes, Locke, Goethe, and Crane;
Chaucer, Shakespeare, Dickens, Tolstoy, Whitman, and Twain;
Whose imagination and toil helped to unfold
Stories, philosophies, and lessons to be told.

The inquisitive student absorbed in his books,
Contemplating and learning while everyone looks
At him with judgmental glances, as if to say,
“Strange seeing him indoors even on this fine day.”

But to him, the weather is of little concern
While he is satisfying his deep thirst to learn.
Taken in by tales of peasants, lovers, and knights,
And those waxing on people’s and government’s rights.

Just then, he feels a chilly draft, but no matter,
As he tugs at his worn jacket collar’s tatter.
Off in the distance, he hears children playing games,
But no match for his fables with fanciful names.

Lost in some fiction, he really can’t help himself,
He thirstily reads his way across his bookshelf.
Hungry – but his knowledge appetite can outlast,
He ignores stomach growls as the lunch hour has passed.

The reader pores on in utter fascination,
As if in a trance, but not caused by libation.
Searching, grasping, he is mentally enraptured,
With meanings bold to subtle all being captured.

In deep translation of the scenes, plots, and faces
Scribed in earlier times and in other places.
He can wait for frolic, frills and things of that kind.
For now, the scholar will sit and enrich his mind.


2/26/17
Copyright © | Year Posted 2017

Poem

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Gauthier Avatar
February 11, 2019 at 9:05 PM
Congrats on your fine win, Bartholomew. A pleasure to read.
Williams Avatar
February 12, 2019 at 2:22 PM
Thank you very much, Line, for your encouraging words as usual. I really appreciate that. I will read more of your poetry within the next week. All I have read so far, I have enjoyed. Blessings to you! :) Bartholomew
Haight Avatar
February 2, 2019 at 7:31 PM
Such a splendid poem, Bartholomew, which I enjoyed reading so much. It reminded me of one of our granddaughters who lived for books (was even admonished for reading in school classes while absorbing the subject she was supposed to be learning). However, she is now a high school English teacher and loving every minute of it. Congratulations on your fine win in this marathon contest. Sandra :)
Williams Avatar
February 3, 2019 at 12:04 PM
Thank you very much, Sandra! I appreciate and am grateful for your really nice words and taking the time and effort to share that great story about your granddaughter. It shows that often what goes around, comes around! I am happy she is doing what she enjoys. Thanks again, my friend, and I hope to "see you" at each mile marker and the finish! :) Bartholomew
Agustin Avatar
February 2, 2019 at 1:04 AM
Wow! Well-expressed "academic" sentiments poetically! Congratulations. God bless you.
Williams Avatar
February 2, 2019 at 7:05 AM
Thank you very much, Beata, for your very kind and supportive comments! I am truly grateful. Thanks also for stopping by and reading my poem. Blessings to you and yours. :) Bartholomew
Toney Avatar
February 1, 2019 at 7:33 PM
Bartholomew, I really enjoyed this. I alternated between being your "inquisitive student" to being with the "children playing games." Thanks for the memories! Congratulations on your win on mile 15 of my 2019 Poetry Marathon Contest. Thank you so much for supporting my contests. By continuing to place in the contests you are accumulating points toward the final. ~Mark
Williams Avatar
February 1, 2019 at 10:21 PM
Thank you very much, Mark! I appreciate your interesting comments and encouragement. To be honest, I was kind of a hybrid, too, with a slight tilt toward the "inquisitive student." Onward to the next mile marker! Thanks, again. :) Bartholomew
Gauthier Avatar
December 23, 2018 at 6:53 PM
Beautiful, Bartholomew. Superbly written.
Williams Avatar
December 23, 2018 at 9:47 PM
Thank you very much, Line! I truly appreciate your kind words of encouragement, and I am pleased you enjoyed my poem. I wish abundant blessings to you, my friend! :) Bartholomew
Dietrich Avatar
May 26, 2018 at 2:50 AM
this was me many years ago, except I went strictly for fiction. VERY exciting fiction. The world could go on around me, I was lost in books. Very nicely portrayed, my friend.
Williams Avatar
May 27, 2018 at 12:36 PM
Thank you very much, Andrea! I appreciate your kind words, as always. Just based on your poetry and the wide range of allusions, metaphors, and other references you make, I thought you could relate to this as you seem very well-read. Thanks again for dropping by and offering your encouraging thoughts. I hope your weekend is going well! :) Bartholomew
Ashley Avatar
March 3, 2018 at 6:26 PM
A beautiful write Bartholomew about the joys of reading and learning expressed in lovely poetic lines of rhythm and wonderful rhymes. Congratulations on your fantastic win! Warmest wishes. ~Susan
Williams Avatar
March 4, 2018 at 12:03 AM
Thank you very much, Susan! :) I appreciate your analysis and am very grateful for your kind comments. Thank you, as always, for visiting and leaving such consistently meaningful and positive remarks. I truly appreciate it. All my very best to you! :) Bartholomew
Gauthier Avatar
March 2, 2018 at 7:57 PM
What a delightful read. Congrats on your well deserved win, Bartholomew.
Williams Avatar
March 2, 2018 at 8:16 PM
Thank you very much, Line. I really appreciate your kind, gracious words. I sincerely enjoyed the poem you entered and won with in this contest. Please see my comments there. All my very best to you! :) Bartholomew
Scars Avatar
February 28, 2018 at 11:18 AM
intellectual stimulating and so profound, great poem thank you and congratulations on your placement :) -luloo
Williams Avatar
February 28, 2018 at 4:19 PM
Thank you very much, Luloo!! :) I truly appreciate your kind, encouraging words. Thank you for giving an old favorite of mine another shot; I am grateful for that, as well. All my very best to you and yours! :) Bartholomew
Martin Avatar
April 12, 2017 at 8:26 AM
Can really relate to this - it's very easy to get absorbed in books. Still some fresh air now and again doesn't do any harm. Congratulations on your win on this refreshingly different write Bartholomew! :-)
Williams Avatar
April 13, 2017 at 10:06 PM
Thank you very much, Mark! I appreciate your kind words of support and encouragement. I tried a different approach on this one and am happy you picked up on that. I will read more of your poetry soon. You have my very best wishes. :) Bartholomew
Hamilton Avatar
March 16, 2017 at 9:05 AM
Great write Bartholomew, loved the rhymes, great example of what you are capable of, you are in great company with this win!
Williams Avatar
March 16, 2017 at 8:20 PM
Thank you very much, John! I sincerely appreciate your kind, supportive, and encouraging words. Thanks also for believing in my poem. Your contest had a lot of solid entries. Thank you so much for sponsoring and for all you do for Soup! :)
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