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