Fractured Friday Part II: Holding Out for a Hero

Up where the mountains meet the heavens above; out where the lightning splits the sea; I can swear there's someone somewhere watching me. Through the wind and the chill and the rain. Through the storm and the flood. I can feel his approach like a fire in my blood. ~ "Holding Out for a Hero", Bonnie Tyler

There are no heroes among men. From inside the fortress walls, this thought becomes reality. Placing faith and hope in mankind is a grieves error that leads to disappointment and hurts beyond measure. We were created to be imperfect, yet from each other we refuse to expect anything less than perfection. Where does that leave the wearers of the scarlet letters sewn from imperfections, mistakes and regrets? We seem to be left in that area of the battlefield known as 'no man's land', caught in the middle hoping for a rescue, but preparing for the worst.

Outside the garden gate, a light shines day and night, begging us to come to investigate the perpetual source. From what lamp post shines this light and to whom does it belong? Who gave them permission to shine their light at the perimeter of all that is ours?

Upon further investigation, stepping outside the gate, the light seems to have no source; there is no lamp post. There is no visible, apparent source, and yet shine it does. It shines into the deepest, darkest recesses of the human soul.

It cannot shine inside the fortress walls, nor illuminate the garden of pain and hurts, born of mistakes and regrets, but it sparks the human soul that dwells within the walls built by human device.

Sometimes heroes don't ride in on fiery steeds, they don't wear armor made of chain mill, or carry heavy swords; they just are.

I can see it on the horizon, and someday I will get there. But, I have learned that man is not my source of help in getting from the fortress to the light. No, there are no heroes among men. No guides, no helpers and no friends.

I'm holding out for a hero. He's gotta be sure, he's gotta be fast, and he's gotta be larger than life.

Fractured Friday had to be done in two parts as last week's post (Someone Like You) had to be postponed due to Veteran's Day.