Articles written by Mike Bayles

What is Helium

About me - Mike Bayles

I have been writing for most of my life, but became serious about it in 1993 after my father, Robert Bayles died, so I could get on wtih my life. I am very involved with the Iowa-Illinois writing community. My poetry has been published in a number of literary

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Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Poetry is . . .: 3 of 172
First Light Poetry is first light greeting dawn, the last flicker of dusk, and all between. Poetry is reality. It is a dream. Poetry is a soft whisper before gentle kiss, prelude to tenderness. Poetry is proclamation of love. Poetry asks its seekers to feel, to listen, to empathize and hear the voice be... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Music: 3 of 153
Essence One note seeks another and another to form an innate rhythm in chambers of the soul. With or without words it conveys heartfelt meanings far beyond its creation. It soothes and cajoles and rocks my foundation in congruence and dissonance of sound. It is all of me and more, a resonance of life's essence ... More..
Creative Writing > Short Stories Short stories: Finding love: 6 of 173
Eyes of the Beholder Scott dropped his briefcase onto the couch. "That's enough happiness," he said. The questionnaires could wait. He grabbed his keys and slipped out of his apartment. He taped a note to his door. He hoped it would say enough for Judy, his research partner: I CAN'T DO THIS ANY MORE TODAY. WE C... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: The water's edge: 1 of 14
The Rhythm of TimeBreeze-stirred waves lapagainst The Mississippi's shorelinenext to me in a steady rhythmas I follow shadows of explorers.The shallow water at the edge,an illusion, leads to greater secretshidden in depths of an ever-changing channel,only to be revealed in its time.A twist in fate takes the current westwardin... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Fire: 7 of 94
The Burning SchoolThe grade school's aglow,casting light into darkness.Tongues of fire curl out every window,and push through the roof,and fire consumes the life it once held.Adults and children stand in awe,each with their own observation.The adults say, "At least no one was hurt,"while children stand in dazed wonder.Walls, ... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Mourning: 14 of 163
Plaintiff Cry The empty sky offers the plaintiff cry of "where are you?" and "what have I done?" an ending feared before something begun. It is an un-natural ending to a natural order, the dying of dried leaves, crimson bleeding into skies, an unanswered prayer, a curse, a moment's dying before reluctant rebirth. ... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Letters: 6 of 66
Kept the House So you decided to keep the house after you sold the land. It doesn't surprise me that you'd do that after Uncle Hank died. I'm sure the walls of your house hold many memories of your lives together, and of the times he tended to the land. He was a good man. He was good to the land, and in turn, th... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Guitars: 2 of 15
Guitar at Hand Metal strings and wood make sounds greater than the sum of their parts. Chords, the angel's sound, flow through me. Well-formed notes come bitter, come sweet. They sting, and they please, measure by measure. I want to cry to the sound when seduced by notes bent by the master's hand, resonating... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Reality: 14 of 101
Measures in TimeSome hidden device measures performance,and when I am timed, conversation shortens.I ask, is it this measure you want?The message is trivialized,designed to please,unseen facesas I try to explainforces beyond control.You give me pep talksand act like my friend,but I chose my wordswhen speaking with youas you w... More..
Creative Writing > Poetry Poetry: Sleep: 19 of 136
Easing into Darkness When all is done I surrender the light and try to less the burden of day. I set aside over magnified regrets before nightly flight and declare wishes for release, the sense of bliss. ... More..