Mike Bayles Poet Narrative

Litany

Litany


A television plays in the background	
while a housemate sits on the couch.
The sun through the window
promises another day.

My basketball team lost in the round
of the Sweet Sixteen, a disappointment.
Afterwards I nursed a drink and sang 
a Paul McCartney song. 

This morning when I walk barefoot
in my office space words stir inside my head.
When in high school I told my dad
writing was all I wanted to do.

Then I laughed when reading Walter Mitty
while sitting on my parents’ couch. Mitty 
was a quiet man who wanted life 
to be something more. 

Now the cat leaps onto my desk
as I write. Is it so crazy to have another
life, I ask. He blinks his eyes.
Today, a day off from a part-time job 
after working four-years traveling 
for a flagger job for construction crews.

People in writers’ groups know me
for roads I travelled.
Trees at the end of the street
reach for wispy clouds.

I saw a friend last night as she sat
at an art walk and displayed
the stickers she made. 

In college, I studied hard
to become a psychotherapist
but through a litany of poems
and songs my life is found.

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Jennifer Proxenos April 5, 2026 at 1:01 PM HI MIKE,I DISCOVERED MY LITERARY talents at 14 when visiting friends of my parents. I WAS TOTALLY BORED AND wrote my first poem called Darkness. I should post it sometime. I have written a book called TEA BREAK POEMS AND GOT BOOK OF THE DAY FOR IT WITH AMAZON. I HAVE WRITTEN A SONG WHICH IS ON YOU TUBE CALLED 'Come closer to me, Trelos ya sena, - an English/Greek love song. so have dabbled here and there in literary assignments and adventures. DURING ALL THIS I WENT BACK TO SCHOOL AND STUDIED FOR A BA DEGREE AND ALSO WENT FURTHER TO DO MY HONORS. l loved your poem and your strength of character that saw you through to the present moment and your wonderful poetic ability. Hugs Jennifer.

Anne Winter March 30, 2026 at 5:07 AM Dear Mike, you are a brilliant poet! Loved your poem. Best, Anne

Victor Buhagiar March 30, 2026 at 2:12 AM You are a great poet. Loved the images you portrayed.

Valsa George March 29, 2026 at 9:38 PM So, what you once said playfully to your Dad, has come true. You have become a writer- nay a poet who can display a litany of poems. Keep at it, dear Mike. All the Best.

Gershon Wolf March 29, 2026 at 8:32 PM Bravo, Mike! Find me someone from college who didn't want to be a write, artist or musician, and you'll have fond me someone I didn't know. Dreams Die Hard, Gershon

I Am Anaya March 29, 2026 at 12:41 PM A great storytelling journaled ,etched with precision. I'm left curious, wanting to know which Paul McCartney song! (lol) Have a nice one~

Andrea Dietrich March 29, 2026 at 11:51 AM The last part really resonated with me. In my first year college, I needed to declare a major, so I wrote down psychologist, not even thinking how difficult it would be. Needless to say, I fell into ESL teaching with Spanish major by simply spending a semester in Spain. I always enjoyed writing but it took having an empty nest before I realized this. I bet you recognized your gift long before I did mine !