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To Uplift, Or Live Adrift

I ponder my existence beyond the breakers, Navigating depth’s perils past shallows of youth. Will I rise with the tides and lift up those near me, Or will I drift along unanchored by the truth? Avoiding a solo Melville-penned fate, or wreck, Depends on my “see man” skills and good attitudes. Striving to be a vessel of encouragement, As my life’s journey marks increasing latitudes. Experience stored as miles pass under my keel; To have all the answers I surely don’t pretend. With care and service among my mental cargo, I am ready to help any mariner friend. And so it is for all who sail upon life’s seas; Constant watch on the horizon, helm, and radar. Make no ties, steer alone, try to stay on course; or Give the hope and guidance of a familiar star. February 9, 2017

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Brian Pierre-Alexander

Date: 2/22/2019 9:05:00 AM

This definitely would be recorded as one of my best read poem.

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 2/22/2019 9:46:00 AM

Brian, thank you very much for your kind, sincere compliment. I am truly happy and grateful that you enjoyed my poem. All my very best to you! :) Bartholomew

Line Gauthier

Date: 2/11/2019 9:49:00 PM

Congrats on your fine win, Bartholomew. Well done.

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 2/12/2019 2:27:00 PM

Thank you very much, Line. It's nice to be able to always count on a positive word of encouragement from you, my friend. All good things to you! :) Bartholomew

Sandra Haight

Date: 1/31/2019 4:32:00 PM

So much wisdom in your beautifully written poem, with the contrasting existences one can choose, Bartholomew! I enjoyed your poem and congratulations on your fine placement in the marathon contest. Sandra

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 1/31/2019 5:42:00 PM

Thank you very much, Sandra! I definitely appreciate your kind, sincere words. Congratulations to you on your #1 win with, "Like an Abandoned House" (please see my comments there)! All my very best to you always. :) Bartholomew

Wendy Watson

Date: 1/31/2019 1:34:00 AM

I so enjoyed reading your poem this morning and look forward to browsing through more of your works ,Bartholomew. Wonderful, descriptive analogies of life in this poem. Congratulations.

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 1/31/2019 9:34:00 AM

Wendy, thank you very much for your kind, supportive, and meaningful comments! I am truly grateful. Congratulations on your win (both times!) with, "The wounds of war." All my very best to you and yours! :) Bartholomew

Mark Toney

Date: 1/30/2019 10:04:00 PM

Bartholomew, I love the contrasts presented. The more I read it the more I like it. A Fav for me! Congratulations on your win on mile 13 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

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 1/31/2019 9:32:00 AM

Thank you very much, Mark, for your wonderfully encouraging comments! I sincerely appreciate them. Thanks also for sponsoring this ambitious contest. I give you a ton of credit for that. See you at each mile marker and the finish line! :) Bartholomew

Line Gauthier

Date: 4/24/2018 9:27:00 PM

Congrats on your well deserved win with this fine poem, Bartholomew.

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 4/25/2018 9:18:00 AM

Thank you very much, Line. I sincerely appreciate your positive, encouraging words. Congratulations on your winning piece, "One Hundredth Birthday and Going Strong"!! All my best to you. :) Bartholomew

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 4/24/2018 3:37:00 PM

wow, GREAT poem here that I somehow never saw yet!! and a belated congrats for a very well deserved win.

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 4/24/2018 5:22:00 PM

Thank you very much, Andrea!! I appreciate you taking the time to read my entry and leave such kind comments. You have my most sincere best wishes! :) Bartholomew

Paul Callus

Date: 4/24/2018 11:52:00 AM

Congratulations on your fine win, Bartholomew. Superb content, especially the end stanza. Regards // paul

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 4/24/2018 5:21:00 PM

Thank you very much, Paul, for your encouraging comments! I sincerely appreciate them. All my very best to you and yours! :) Bartholomew

Charlie Smith

Date: 4/23/2018 1:29:00 PM

Congratulations Bartholomew, well done...

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 4/24/2018 11:21:00 AM

Thank you very much, Charlie! I appreciate it. Congrats on your winning entry, and please see my comments there. All my very best to you! :) Bartholomew

Joyce Johnson

Date: 4/23/2018 10:02:00 AM

Thank you for your lovely poem in this contest. I am so excited about the contest. Love, Joyce

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 4/24/2018 11:06:00 AM

Joyce, happy 100th birthday to you!! Obviously, you are living right! I do enjoy your poetry and the positive messages of hope and comfort you weave into your pieces. Thank you so much for stopping by and your kind words. Many, many blessings to you and yours always! :) Bartholomew

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 4/23/2018 2:45:00 AM

Another win for this wonderful write, Bartholomew ... I really love this one! Congratulations and blessings to you, my friend! :-)

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 4/24/2018 11:13:00 AM

Thank you so much, Greg. I truly appreciate you taking the time to stop by again & comment. It means a lot to me. Congratulations on your gold-medal winning entry. I particularly like the creative "marquee" you used to wish Joyce a happy birthday. Please see my comments there. Blessings right back to you, my friend! :) Bartholomew

Susan Gentry

Date: 4/23/2018 12:54:00 AM

Congratulations on your win. Well done.

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 4/24/2018 11:41:00 AM

Thank you very much, Susan, for reading my poem and leaving such kind and uplifting comments. I sincerely appreciate it. All my best to you and yours! :) Bartholomew

Eve Roper

Date: 4/22/2018 9:47:00 PM

Congratulations on your win, Bartholomew! Hugs Eve ~`*

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 4/24/2018 11:42:00 AM

Thank you very much, Eve! It is always so nice to hear from you. Thanks for dropping by and taking the time and effort to comment. Hugs right back to you, my friend! :) Bartholomew

Kim Rodrigues

Date: 4/22/2018 6:50:00 PM

Congrats, Bartholomew!

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 4/24/2018 11:47:00 AM

Thank you very much, Kim! You are so kind to stop by and comment - always a treat! I enjoyed your strong placement with "The Powdered Wig," so please see my comments there. I hope you are having a lovely spring! :) Bartholomew

Elaine George

Date: 4/22/2018 6:10:00 PM

It is how Joyce has lived her life. She is a remarkable lady. Man y congrats on your fine win. sincerely, Elaine

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 4/24/2018 11:50:00 AM

Elaine, thank you so much! I appreciate your kind words. Congratulations on your beautiful tribute poem, "Re Joyce" (please see my comments there), and your high placement in the contest. I wish only the best for you and yours! :) Bartholomew

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 4/22/2018 5:41:00 PM

Bartholomew, Joyce is definitely one who provides "the hope and guidance of a familiar star." Congratulations on your win in a highly competitive contest!

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 4/24/2018 11:03:00 AM

Carolyn, thank you very much for your kind words and for sponsoring this birthday tribute to Joyce!! I could not agree more - I have read Joyce's poetry again lately, and her work is truly uplifting! All my very best to you and yours! :) Bartholomew

Gregory Richard Barden

Date: 10/17/2017 11:46:00 PM

Very nicely done, Bartholomew - kudos and cheers on your well-deserved win, dear poet - keep writing strong! :-)

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 10/20/2017 9:58:00 AM

Greg, thank you so much for your positive, uplifting comments! Nice to hear from you. I really like your recent work, "S'all Good." Please see my comments there. Thanks again for your encouragement. Keep the faith, my friend! :) Bartholomew

Deborah Burch

Date: 2/13/2017 2:04:00 PM

Congratulations Bartholomew!! I really like this!! Well done!! Hugggs deb

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 4/3/2017 4:12:00 PM

Deborah, thank you very much for your kind, thoughtful, and positive words. I sincerely appreciate them. You have my very best wishes in all that you do! :) Bartholomew

Sunita U.D Palawon

Date: 2/13/2017 10:30:00 AM

Wonderful write and congrats on your win! :)

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 2/14/2017 9:55:00 AM

Sunita, thank you very much for your uplifting words! I appreciate them and you. Best wishes as you continue your poet's journey. I will read some of your poetry soon. :) Bartholomew

Rhonda Johnson-Saunders

Date: 2/12/2017 9:51:00 PM

Beautiful thoughts and imagery, Bartholomew...congrats to you and hugs, Rhonda

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 2/12/2017 10:14:00 PM

Rhonda, thank you so much for your kind, uplifting words (perhaps you are one of the people I refer to in the seventh line of my poem)! I appreciate you. I enjoyed and will come back to regularly your "Beyond the Breakers" piece. I offer you a sincere congratulations on your strong second-place finish. Well done, thanks for being a classy winner, and hugs right back to you! :) Bartholomew

Carolyn Devonshire

Date: 2/12/2017 2:20:00 PM

There is something about the sea that triggers introspective reflection. It i sad to feel we must "make no ties" and go through life alone, but this is the fate for many of us. Excellent poem! Congratulations on your win.

Bartholomew Williams
Date: 2/12/2017 10:07:00 PM

Carolyn, thank you very much for your encouraging, reflective words. I greatly appreciate them. I admire your poem, "A Promise Fulfilled Beyond the Breakers," and congratulate you on a #1 finish! Thanks also for being a gracious winner, sometimes a lost practice these days. Way to go!