A Hero Like the Other

A Hero Like the Other.
By Lora Bayh


I’m a hero. I saw myself, very grand, cape in hand, in my son’s eyes today.
I’m a hero. Who knows where to kiss the hurt away, and all the perfect words to say.
Though I question so many things, and cry my secret tears…I’m a hero.
Though I make mistakes, and hide my fears, and harbor sorrows…I’m a hero.

He’s my hero….his eyes express his world, and his arms ‘round me are curled so tightly.
He’s my hero….he make the bad subside, in light filled hazel eyes, he smiles so brightly.
And though he makes mistakes, he see’s through a fuller glass, and doesn’t dwell on past….
He’s my hero.
And though he’s much to learn, his soul’s still wiser now, unencumbered by the “how’s?”….
He’s my hero.

He and I traverse each days obstacles, hand in hand, strength drawing on strength, love bearing love, need fulfilling need.
Hero to Hero.
Son leaning on mother…mother gleaning from son.
Better than either would be without a Hero like the other.

"What I Have Joined..."

I wrote this several years ago for someone who was considering divorce. She was being wooed by a man who was telling her there was so much more out there for her, that she deserved more. Her husband was forgetting to notice her, and there was no spark anymore. She divorced him anyway and is very happy today!!

“What I Have Joined…”
By Lora Bayh
November 8th, 2005

Love grown complacent, tends not to ebb…or flow,
But grows stagnant in the stillness where it lies.
Not that it’s gone astray…rather into shadow hides…
Waiting to be discovered,
Afforded effort,
Before it dies.
And in the time it seems it’s lost, while to the side it has been tossed,
The yearning to be cared for won’t subside.
led to fall prey
to behaviors
that divide.
Discontent worn on the face, justification comes at feverish pace,
Till another finds the place to scratch…the vows you spoke have met their match.
Easier to run away
From expectations gone astray,
Then to fight and save a union blessed…
of God.
The one thing the young can never know,
Is love
In the midst of complacency
Still grows.
For through committed time that’s spent
Love’s devotion will the itch,
In time,
Circumvent.
The key is to avoid the chance,
to scratch the itch…
in this circumstance,
And determine, by choice, you took vows for life,
Through the good,
The complacent,
And all the strife.
Setting the mind there’s no way out, is truly what commitment is all about.
With love that keeps no record of wrongs…with faith in God to keep you strong.
The ebbs and flows of love return!
With a pocket full of lessons learned,
If you stood your vows while loves waters were still.
You’ll have certainty you did God’s Will.
Recall the very vows you spoke,
stop excusing them as blunder,
For God spoke over the union you pledged,
“What I have joined,
Let no man, put asunder!”

Fool

Fool
By Lora Bayh
March 2009

Putting faith in wrong things,
Traveling dead end roads,
Holding things that can’t be,
Never more alone.
Touching fire
Self imposing pain
Breaking the umbrella
And drowning in the rain…

No blame…I did this to myself…

Opening heart and soul to be mishandled
Treading water with weights tied on my feet
Looking for crumbs on a gravel path
Tasting the sour after the sweet.
Closing eyes to my own actions.
Who’s that person in the mirror?
Surprised at my reaction.
Should have known I’d end up here.

Such shame…why’d I do this to myself?

First rule of want;
Don’t want what you can’t get.
First rule of heart;
Don’t choose the wrong outlet.
First rule of trust;
It’s something to be earned.
First rule of the fool;
It’s easy to get burned.

My pain…and I did it to myself.

Valentine's

Valentine's message to all of you lucky couples out there.


To those of you who will cuddle up to someone who loves you, who cherishes you, who has invested their love, years of their time, and the biggest parts of themselves in you, this Valentine’s Day, cherish what you have. Just as we have all been advised at one time or another to, “eat all the food on your plate, there are starving people everywhere who would love to have what you have.”, there are also people starving for connection that would love to have even the smallest crumbs of your kind of relationships. All unions are challenged by time and close proximity, but the ones that persevere, bulldoze their way through the sands of time, with straight aimed conviction, are the desire and monocle of every person whose heart beats without it‘s compliment. Perfection is not the scale on which to grade your bond, better to rate on the curve of effort, willingness, and loyalty. Never ceasing to search out, and hold tightly the source of your initial discernment that…this one, this lovely heart and soul, this person, is to be the rest of my life. Then, after such reflection, show that love all the honor it so deeply deserves, in what ever true form you should discover to express it. That…is eating every single precious morsel on your plate, and in doing so, those of us who starve for what you have cannot doubt, ever, that the search for true love is worth it. To those of you who see your Valentines every single day, I hope you set the 14th apart and make it special, because love is a gift given to be shared, and some of us live in a fickle world where what some take for granted is all we hope for. Have a very love revisited kind of Valentine’s Day all you fortunate couples! :) Lora Bayh

“A Little Bird Once Told Me.”
By Lora Bayh
January 19th, 2009

Quite oddly on window ledge…a tiny bird did loft.
Peered through glass, rounded head, feathers appear’d so soft.
A curious glance, I gave it’s plight, it seemed to notice me…
if to implore…me through the door…to see… alright it be.
Never before, I’d noticed more, a voice within it’s teeny eyes
Which seemed to speak…faintly weak…that it witnessed my demise.
No word it said, not my ear to hear…I heard it speak the same
It held no fear, though I stood near. When beckoned…In reply… I came.
Inquired I….with all the sky, it’s flight was free to take…
Did it choose…my view… to muse…with such a vast landscape?
It offered me…perspective’ly, an alternate repose.
To listen more, it did entreat…to how… it’s story goes.
It did infer, we were alike, our perils…not so diverse.
For it once too, had lost it’s view, in a caged and evil curse.
For once upon, a vicious time, it was plucked by some sad fate.
Put in confine, until a time, chance came…to make escape.
The worst…it shared…that made it scared, was it couldn’t find it’s voice.
And when it saw an open door, it had to make a choice.
Now as it be, it came to me…..
to share a while, a peril that I….
…..perceived might offer hope.
For in it’s eyes, I knew it wise….
but to disguise… might paralyze…..
…..this catalyst that offered rope.
How could it know… my life so… it did, though….all the same.
Trapped in pen, locked within, until this courser came.
And I….in wonder…did reply, how did it get such courage?
It calmly sighed, without deny….“to imprison is to scourge.”
“I’m a bird, and by design, I’m destined to be free.
Never try to cage… or I will fly… so far away from thee.
Look at you, imprisoned too, you too must take to flight.
Though missing wings, your heart still sings, inside that grip so tight.
I’ve observed your laments tears…..
a witness to your captors sneers,
Observing all the while, you wear a vacant smile…..
and entice you to believe…..
You could share the skies with me,
for though I may be small, it’s still a soul’s right after-all…
To soar.”
A little bird once told me, what I knew within myself…..
If God inclined us as captive, He would have caged us each His self.

My earnest hope is that this piece would help someone, as much as it helped me to create it.
From the moment the idea came to me, things in my own life situation began to take a turn. I found myself looking for the “open door“. When it suddenly appeared in an instant, like the bird, I took to flight. I cannot wait to feel the soft new ground beneath my feet when I too can safely come to rest, finally free to be what I was created to be. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Whatever holds you the least bit captive, may you find the courage to break away!

"Angel"

“Angel”
By Lora Bayh

February 2, 2009

A love that isn’t mine set me free.

Stuck in place and losing my vision of what I was worth… if anything.

Circling life, but not living it…a tender heart reached out.

A friend who saw me, who took a chance to know me, who cared enough to show me…myself.

A strong hand extended by one who possessed character as I’ve never known before...

stopped me in my path, and breathed new vigor into my lungs,

resuscitating my very own will to come back alive.

Who convinced me my mind was sound, and turned me just enough to face myself

and take a deeper look.

Who offered an objective perspective, that all could be corrected,

that everything was able to improve according to my determination to make it so.

To not be afraid of all the fear, and impart to my spirit the permission to flourish,

granting me permission I never needed…

but wanted to be given…to spread my wings and soar.

Who came and went, but yet remains, in memories refrain,

and promised to be mine forever, if needed ever.

Not a love, just of, passion or pain,

but a love pure, supportive, without shame,

placed a mirror in my hand and showed me there is beauty to behold,

to myself untold.

A friend is gold.

Not a love that’s mine to keep, released me,

and helped me love…most importantly…

the person I never knew I had the freedom to be,

and gently, strongly, held me up for the first most difficult steps

into the light of my independence.

Who revealed to my sight all the lies I’d invested too much belief in,

and sternly showed me the lovely radiance of the truth,

where reality lives, and possibilities are endlessly abounding.

A love that cannot be mine, a love that serves a higher purpose,

stopped for a moment to grace me with a miracle,

and told me it could not stay,

that I could not grasp it too tightly….

assuring me I could continue my way alone.

One moment here, the next gone,

still inside that love is strong.

Knowing I will be alright, knowing holding the memory of that love so tight,

I will make it worth it’s time, to grace me with it’s presence…

though it can never be mine.

Such a desire to make it proud, to do all that…in turn…I’d vowed,

and show it the strength it imparted to me…I push on… but do so willingly.

And I swear I heard the buzz of wings,

surrounding all these lovely things.

An angel came to me, to show,

me love I would have never known.

A love that extended to my being, a love that proved to be so freeing.

I’m able, versed, confidant, and even proud….

but will never share it’s name aloud.

Other than to speak these words I write,

about a love that cannot be mine.

On the Bright Side

Disclaimer; this poem was written by me to help me. It deals with many excuses I was being handed, and is my attempt to sort them out, and not get caught up in them. These optimistic ideals are mine, and not all can share this kind of outlook. It is not intended to downplay all of the struggles and tragedies we all face, but just to help present a different perspective. One I have chosen to cope with a lot of situations I have been presented with throughout my life. A cousin of mine, whom I tried to share this with, called it idealistic, and simple. I'm putting myself out there...and know not all will agree, but that is what art is...a personal interpretation. I hope some benefit, and if it's not your thing.. that's okay. Everything is good!


On the Bright Side
By: Lora Bayh
July 21, 2001


On a scale of very smaller,
to incredibly much taller,
bet you all one hundred dollars
That we all fall in between.
The best way to know that you are blessed,
is to look to those who have much less,
and stop feeling life is such a test...
Life just happens.
What we have or what we don't,
what some suffer and some won't,
there's no "fair share", no antidote.
It's wasted consideration.
All our time is better spent,
since our time is merely lent,
thanking God for house or tent..
At least your head is covered.
Apples and oranges, as you know,
in very different climates grow,
wasted is time comparing them, so....
Things are as meant to be.
For those who think that life's a game,
play too long, and transfer blame,
then pout and complain about the same...
In the end will find time precious.
All of us must simply learn,
no bridge to the past is left unburned.
Not one of us can ever return...
So concentrate on the present.
Control your thoughts, and use them well,
for if in the past and hurts you dwell,
you'll have created your own private Hell...
As your blessings go unnoticed.
Some find, when centered on things wrong,
their peace and joy are only strong,
with booze and drugs to help along...
The path of their destruction.
For there is no crucial circumstance,
that getting numb can't less enhance,
but that's just living in a trance...
Life's not getting any better.
You'll just have to get high again,
cause you came down, things came crashing in,
and it's all about everyone else's sin...
So you justify that your escaping.
So, you escaped but where'd you go?
It was easier, that's all you know,
but your just reaping what you sow...
You've become your own abuser.
For those hell-bent on retribution,
have committed their life to institution,
and feed their hate with vengeful solution...
They will never know beauty.
We all know that life's not fair.
Were it, things would be perfect everywhere.
Accept that it's up to you to care...
And clean up the way your thinking.
Dysfunctional family? Bad childhood?
Why you? You know your innately good.
Life beat you up while you quietly stood...
Now your knee deep in self-pity.
Who could ever feel sorry for you
with the wonderful job of it you do.
Don't consider what you've put them through...
While you've been pointing prickly fingers.
Forgiveness is the only tool, it's more than just
the Golden Rule.
It's freedom... and it gives you fuel...
To get started in a new direction.
Cause at the human mind, I am amazed,
can heal itself, or end up crazed.
Bad thoughts create a murky haze...
As it work with what you give it.
With all we think we have a choice,
to shut thoughts out or give them voice.
Only you can control the noise...
The monkey is on your back.
The truly brave are one's I know,
who've completely opened up their soul,
looked at what could stay... what had to go...
Said, "This is life, I think I'll live it!".
Who've set other individuals free
of all the, "Look at what you've done to me!",
and took responsibility...
To find their backbone.
Cause the majority of what's been done to you,
was nothing intentional anyone meant to do,
there were probably things they were going through...
And you were caught in the backlash.
From giving trust and being used,
to sexual and child abuse,
by tragedy we all are fused...
There's nothing new under the sun!
Our basic differences come, you see,
from the way we handle our tragedies.
Trials can teach us our abilities...
Or they can give us our excuses.
Though we all want to receive respect,
it's not something we can just expect.
Take some time for a little retrospect...
And decide if you've worked to achieve that.
There's an age of accountability,
when I'm responsible for the quality,
of the gift of this life God gave to me...
It's a pity just to waste it.
I believe it is a right at birth,
to smile as we walk this earth.
Cause in God's eyes you have real worth...
God doesn't make mistakes.
No baby ever learned to walk,
without falling down and taking knocks.
Yes, it hurts them, and they cry and squawk...
But never just give up!
If we, in our earliest years,
found tenacity to conquer fears...
what holds us back in later years...
From pressing till we make it?
Failure comes more from our thoughts,
than anything the past has wrought.
It's the lies we told ourselves and bought....
But you have the power to change that.
Start with simple, little things....
morning sun, the light it brings.
And cut first just the smallest strings...
That hold you in the darkness.
And as you do you'll start to heal,
find your gaining strength to face the real....
And bigger ropes that bound your heals...
And kept you from moving on.
I'm sorry to have to say so plain,
you have free will to stop the pain,
you can say you've tried...it was all in vain...
Happiness is for those who seek it.
All these things I've found were true,
and put them down in verse for who...
might need some help, perspective new...
Who want to start making changes.
As for me... I want to see what heights I'll reach,
letting events just do their job and teach,
me more the possibilities...
Of living life on the bright side!!!!!

Thanks for taking the time to read this! Hoping you see all the beauty that surrounds you.Lora