Comment from justmade

Excellent

Well this touched me Mike I am love the words.
I imagined this as words from someone that is very selfless.
It felt genuine to be honest.
Much love,
Justmade.

 Comment Written 15-Mar-2009

---

reply by the author on 15-Mar-2009

People always appreciate me helping to try to carry, then they kind of like it, then they expect it. LOL It is honest though and heartfelt. Selfless, sometimes, just maybe more considerate. The reward is usually in trying, though one has to dig deep within.

I thank you very much for the compliments and this review. Mike

Comment from adewpearl

Excellent

Mike, this is lovely, a most thoughtful poem even if at the moment there is no specific person to speak the words to - your poems are always so filled with meaning, and the portage as metaphor here is stunning. Brooke

 Comment Written 14-Mar-2009

---

reply by the author on 14-Mar-2009

I thank you very much for your compliments and this review. Mike

Comment from Twomoon

Excellent

Ok, you bet, it touched me...the star! Well done, Mike and such lovely words. I remember the art! lol..you used to have it posted. Well, this was a heartfelt and well written poem and I enjoyed reading it. Thanks for the tea and crumpets! much love and have a lovely night, twomoon

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2009

---

reply by the author on 14-Mar-2009

I am glad that you enjoyed this one. The photograph was also used for my profile shot. Thank you very much for your compliments and this review. Mike

Comment from nora arjuna

Excellent

Hi Mike, I like this picture of you. Thought you looked cute there hehe. Enjoyed the poem as well, especially this.

Maybe to you, I am somehow a friend,
to me, you're a blessed Godsend.
I know I will travel far...
My guiding star!

Blessed your heart.

 Comment Written 13-Mar-2009

---

reply by the author on 13-Mar-2009

Are you saying that I am no longer cute. What ruined my cute looks is threating over all of you poetess'. My labor of love and life's energy.

i thank you very much for this review. With love Mike

I love the ending, that is what I truely feel so deep.

Comment from IndianaIrish

Excellent

Wow, Mike! I just love the metaphor you so expertly used in this poem. Our paths in life can be smooth, but too often the rocks find their way under us and trip us up...but we travel on. I enjoyed this one very much!
Smiles,
Indy :>)

 Comment Written 12-Mar-2009

---

reply by the author on 13-Mar-2009

I always keep thinking that maybe the rocks up ahead are softer. LOL I enjoy the compliments and this review. MIke

Comment from mtngalofnc

Excellent

Hi Mike,
Portage, nice metaphor. Loved the line about curled lips and the last stanza, awesome. It has a hint of the ethereal. Very nice poem. Thank you for sharing and God bless and best wishes!
mtngalofnc

 Comment Written 12-Mar-2009

---

reply by the author on 12-Mar-2009

I never end up looking at to many smiles back these days, but loving to produce them. Thank you very much for the compliments and this review. Mike

Comment from words

Excellent

Portage is a nice metaphor for our uneven walk through.

"No matter if I am walking through a mirage;
carrying my heavy load through steep portage."

Nice Symmetry with the ending:
Guided by what this world needs and whispering siren's song,
whether smooth paddling or rocky ground, I travel along.
Nice job.

Good effort.

 Comment Written 11-Mar-2009

---

reply by the author on 11-Mar-2009

I enjoyed that metaphor as well. Sometimes we think that we know about things and don't and other times we don't but have a sincere desire to be in. With a portage, you never know what you're getting in to, it is merely a means to an end. If one really knew, he would have built a house on that lake! LOL

I thank you very much for your compliments and this review. Mike.

Comment from phaedra

Excellent

This is a wonderful post/poem. I found a metaphysical (walking through a mirage, guiding star) quality to it that is very important to my life path.

Thank You for writing this and posting.

Phaedra

 Comment Written 11-Mar-2009

---

reply by the author on 11-Mar-2009

Wow! I love this review. I always try to look at this world through the metaphysical. Having faith that I will eventually suceed and understand. Thank you very much for the compliments and this review. MIke

Comment from Janet65

Excellent

Hi Mike,
I love your poem. It has a lovely message, and it flows so well. The rhyme scheme is good, and the imagery is nice. I believe it was meant for me. I love heart-felt poems.
Janet

 Comment Written 11-Mar-2009

---

reply by the author on 11-Mar-2009

Thank you very much for your compliments and this review. I guess I have a tell tale heart! LOL Mike

Comment from VICTIMEYES

Excellent

No Matter, My Portage sounds like some deep feelings about life but to have a guiding star or something like that, i always wondered do something like guardian angels and stuff, guess we'll never know.

 Comment Written 11-Mar-2009

---

reply by the author on 11-Mar-2009

Perhaps some people aren't so far removed from a guardian angle. A bit more then the dream because the pinch back. LOL. I think the deep feelings is that canoe we pack on our shoulders. The portage is just a part of life that must be traversed with it.

This is the favorite shot of me as it holds an off camera truth. This was a portage for a click (kilometer) and had every thing remained as it was, I would have been able to handle it. The problem was that about a hundred feet later, the paddles' lashing slipped and the canoe shifted, putting me and the backpack upside down in the canoe and almost breaking my back. At the time I weighed 130lbs, the canoe 80 and pack 50. Talk about adding to your load, with that trip, I averaged three trips per portage.

Most were shorter but up hill, the second half of the trip they were downhill, but totally slick with mud and all had mosquitos. To please a woman, isn't that much easier. LOL

Have a great day! Thank you for reviewing this. MIke