the mirrored image

the image I portray 

reflections of a façade 

oblivious  

by those that I meet 

hairline cracks

miniscule crevices

hard to read;

you should have

looked much deeper

to know the real me

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

dance

slowly we move 

music soft and sweet 

bodies in sync 

nothing fits between

I feel your heart 

you can feel mine 

the song ends

but not what we feel...

not what we have... 

not what we are...

together

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

long may she run

you tell me that I need blue jeans

cause the tailpipe gets so hot 

you say I need leather boots 

in case we should go down 

you slather me with sunscreen 

to protect from wind and sun 

you tighten the strap on my helmet

to make sure it stays on 

all you do to keep me safe 

makes me feel so loved

I climb on up 

away we go 

long may the Victory run

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

spark

that spark that you started 

is now an electrical current 

every capillary charged 

every vein engorged 

as it flows straight to my heart

dizzy I rise

grabbing hold of you

I can't steady my body

when I have already fallen

head over heals

in love

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

the eyes have it

blue eyes see deeply

into my heart and my soul 

love reflects in green eyes 

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

beautiful

you tell me I am beautiful... 

don't you know...

can you not see... 

it is a reflection... 

of what I feel... 

an inner glow... 

that seeps through every pore... 

no longer able to be contained... 

in the chambers of an over-flowing heart...

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

you are

you are everywhere I want to be

in the breeze that blows down from the mountains 

in the long shadows cast by the mesquite trees 

in the light of the moon 

in the glow of the stars 

you are everywhere I want to be

you are every song I want to sing 

every note set to a score 

every beat of my heart 

every line of every love song 

every tempo that we dance slowly to 

you are every song I want to sing 

you are everything I want to feel

the tenderness of your kiss 

the heat of your passion 

the pounding of your heart 

the strength of your love 

you are everything I want to feel 

you are all of these things and more 

you are....

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

Work Haiku

work was a real bitch! 

fires doused like a ranger 

cocktails now for me

  Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Freedom?

Pushing all my buttons 

You try to anger me 

I can see it coming 

And will not disagree 

We’ve played this game too many times 

I will not be engaged 

You can do this by yourself 

I refuse to be enraged 

More and more this is the theme 

You wound and then step back 

I know where this is going

I’m wise to these attacks

 

Do you want to be with me 

Or is freedom what you seek? 

I will grant you either one 

But this I do not need 

Think it over, contemplate 

Then get back to me 

Do you want a future 

Or want to be set free?

Canyon

roaming the mountains and the desert floor 

sun high over head, I've been here before 

seeking the answers to the quandaries that plague 

no solutions forth coming-- my resolve diminishing 

and i shout in the canyon the question "WHY" 

and the echo returns  "the promises were lies" 

things that you did and things that you said 

keep ricocheting around inside of my head 

my steps are unsteady did I stray from the path?

thirsting for answers before I can go back 

and i shout in the canyon the question "WHY" 

and the echo returns "the promises were lies" 

the weariness is coming, I stumble and fall 

nothing to grab hold of, there's no help at all  

my direction now falters; which way should I go?

praying for guidance and praying to know 

and I shout in the canyon the question "WHY" 

the echo that returns "the promises were lies" 

heaven betrayed me hell opens it's door 

redemption can't find me on this desert floor 

I've burned all my bridges, hell's flames scorch at me 

there's just no way back--none that I'll ever see

and i shout in the canyon the question "WHY" 

the echo that returns "the promises were lies"

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Withdrawal Haiku

No Mexico for years 

seems I am in withdrawal 

Do not approach me! 

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Promises Fulfilled Haiku

The day was cold with rain 

promise held in many ways 

Promises fulfilled

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Say The Words

Say the words 

Once more  

Incase there aren't more moments 

Incase I never see you again 

Say the words 

So I can keep them in my memory 

Incase the world spins out of control 

And all is lost 

Say the words 

So I can lock them in my heart

Remember you were here

a long time ago  

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

The Doorway (JPB)

I stand in the doorway 

seeing things I don’t want to see 

Events that will take you from me 

I stand in the doorway  

Knowing I can do nothing

My power diminished 

I stand in the doorway 

Alone, unsheltered, anguished 

Willing a change of events 

I stand in the doorway 

Watching and waiting 

Hoping for intervention

I stand in the doorway 

And watch you leave 

For the last time 

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Casa By The Sea

In this casa on the beach 

A calm and rolling sea 

Sitting alone on the terrace 

Enjoying the peace it brings 

A perfect cup of coffee 

Alone, safe and secure

It is very early 

The sand is undisturbed 

Best time of the morning 

Contemplating life

No pulls, no tugs, no stressors 

Escape from all the strife 

Pull myself together 

Relax and just kick back 

The time I have here is too short 

But puts me back on track 

The peace I take when time to leave 

Doesn’t last that long 

But life here at the casa 

Though short, helps me stay strong

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Radar Haiku

You fall off radar 

Are you in the Twilight Zone? 

Here's a life jacket

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Work Haiku (Part Deux)

The moon rises full 

People are crazier then! 

Monday is a bitch 

  Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

air

oxygen and carbon dioxide 

breathe it in 

inhale the smell of passion 

let your senses overload 

drink me in 

 let the air go to your head 

close your eyes 

for one last taste lick 

your lips taste me there

breathe me in don't exhale

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

fear to tread

in my heart 

where love has fled 

a hedged bet 

with no point spread 

a hole that's deep 

a heart that bled 

a place where angels fear to tread 

in my heart 

that once knew love 

a full moon and stars above 

memories are displaced

without a love to grace 

a penciled note that's been erased

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

earthquake

you rocked my world

the aftershocks, tremendous 

tremors still felt

in my heart and soul

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

a

a simple game 

a lover's lair 

a cold spring day 

a love affair

a first hug 

a first kiss 

 a memory made 

a time of bliss

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

Heaven

would taste like your lips 

nirvana, the way I feel 

when I am with you

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

sand

sand in my hair 

and swimsuit seat 

but nothing here, 

can irritate me 

take a shower, 

wash it out 

I wish that worked 

with some of these doubts 

my hair streaks light 

from the salt and sun 

days end quick 

before they've begun

the moon glows bright 

in the evening sky 

hours always 

in short supply

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

easy to see

easy to see 

hard to believe?

it was always there 

worn on my sleeve

take it all 

it's not far to fall 

easy to see 

not hard to believe 

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

new look

I'm stripping it down 

to its raw beauty

 keeping what I like 

sanding off the rest 

applying a fresh coat 

refurbished love

refinished failures

shellacked  

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

duel

I'm calling you out 

a duel of sorts 

draw your weapon 

prepare your shot 

take careful aim 

cause I will too

 get ready, cowboy 

I'm gunning for you

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

yesterday's news

all the headlines 

such a bore 

yesterday's news 

always the same 

war, pestilence 

earthquake and fire 

a baby is born 

someone expires 

coffee cup in hand 

I bring the paper in 

wet, from morning rain

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

all

all I want is you 

all I think I want is you 

I think I may want you 

maybe I want you 

do I want you?

in the worse way

I want you!

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

blue is

the color of sky 

one of the primary eight 

juicy blueberries 

fathoms of the sea 

and the color of my soul

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

one by one

the breeze wafts in with a humming sound 

I can hear the music, but not the words 

I strain my ears, all I can hear 

is the pounding of my heart 

the sky is dark with so many birds 

filling the trees and telephone wires 

they screech a horrible ringing sound 

it resonates, vibrates, stealing my thoughts 

as the shrilling gets louder, I cover my dreams 

cause they won't be chased away 

they start to fall one by one

dying from thirst and the desert sun 

till one is left and the music flows sweet 

its message carried on the mountain breeze 

she opens her bill, and all I can hear 

is the sound of your love for me 

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

all in sweet time

so, it's not paradise 

but you can see it from here

all in sweet time like ivy it climbs 

all in sweet time 

don't waste a word or blink an eye 

don't say anything 

that can go unheard 

all in sweet time like a stairway it climbs 

all in sweet time 

your heart will win when the music begins 

open your heart let my song in 

all in sweet time like the waves that rise 

all in sweet time

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

feel the pull

in a valley, near the mountains
surveying all you think you've found
at this moment in time it shines sublime
a melody, it plays in your head
as you start to feel the pull
from the moon not quite full

on a wooden floor
where the cowboys dance
a shadow falls
from your tall stance
the reins are slipping
too loose in your hands
the iron is white hot
and ready to brand

where is your horse?
the shadow asks
you smile that smile
as you answer back
it's in my dreams
and you laugh that laugh
the shadow slips away
through the walls that are cracked

all these ideals
that play in your head
you figure it all out
from the books that you've read
the thoughts not closer
fill you up with dread
how much more time, how many chances
till you've been completely bled

you call on the moon
to tell you when
the shadow has left
after being fenced in
in the lunar light
fading, growing dim
you see it in the distance
and it carries like a hymn

hoof beats sounding
across a vast range
you ride through the night
it all seems so strange
you've made it at last
ready for the change
the past falls behind
your priorities rearranged

you feel the pull
your heart secure
you feel the pull

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

cupid's bow

I am wrong again! 

been so, once or twice before. 

I can tell ya the truth, 

although it may hurt, 

any answers my friend 

come from the same old questions

rendering, not what you expect

or even what your dreams foretold.

you; always waiting for an opportunity 

to reap what I have sowed 

I'll be leaving soon 

but not right this minute 

it's either too late or too early,

but I'll tell you one more story.

how aspirations have let me down 

while I plant these seeds of sadness 

in this desiccated, rock hard ground 

always watering and waiting

for fortification from their growth

I try to see where you are now. 

no longer manipulating the arrow from Cupid's bow 

he never could shoot straight 

his aim, horrendous!  

red shoes click on the yellow brick road  

as I walk its ends.

at a thorny wall as high as my dreams grew 

fantasy catapults me over as

real life brings a screeching halt, 

the truth slowly seeping in, 

lovers fading quickly to the past,

the seeds I planted 

rot instead of grow

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

between the lines

I sing the words 

between the lines 

the lyrics yours 

the music mine 

somehow, the beat 

is out of time 

and we can't dance

 cause you talk in rhyme 

someone cuts

as the tempo climbs 

the wine not sweet 

from the bitter vines

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

fall away

it falls away

never built to last 

one hangs on 

while the other fasts 

the words dry up 

and disappear 

soon, it hasn't been weeks 

it's been years

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

go ahead

go ahead, kiss me 

before the night ends

I dare you now

to try it again 

under the moon 

and the star's light 

hold me close 

pull me tight 

kiss me baby

kiss me slow

let's see how 

this night will go 

will it lead on

to more of the same? 

don't stop now 

don't stop the spin 

don't let it end 

kiss me again 

kiss me baby

 
Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

short supply

I've looked for things 

and I've been a fool 

it took a long time

to get to you 

and what I hoped for 

just won't do

it's not enough to hold you to 

I'm holding on 

but not getting through

 

on what planet 

does the answer lie 

it's written in script 

and in my eyes 

but you still feel 

you need alibis 

truth is always 

in very short supply 

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

house of cards

this house of cards I can't build faster 

each one placed spells sweet disaster 

keep on building, higher it goes 

now standing up on my tiptoes

will this be the one to cause collapse?

the pyramid just a maze of traps

the wind blows hard it stays in place 

feel the cool breeze on my face 

the house of cards still holding strong

lyrics pause in your sweet song 

one on one still on I race 

 the final card now finds its space

queen of hearts makes it fall down 

it all trembles, falls to the ground

fantasies always break apart 

no hints from the jagged start

a house of cards is always weak 

be careful of the ones you seek

every moment, every single hour

I spent building this high, wide tower

deconstructed  for evermore

scattered all about the floor

somethings you just can't sustain

no matter the love or its disdain

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

I know

I know you don't love me 

I know it will never be

I know that you're not there 

I know dreams disappear 

I know what you want to feel 

I know what your heart reveals 

I know what your eyes show 

I know it can't be so

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

good guys wear black

an everyday hero 

your Stetson soaking wet 

in a black F-450 

the rain you didn't sweat 

with all the stuff I needed 

better than triple AAA 

a handsome tall, dark stranger 

boot wearing hero saves my day j

ust like in the movies 

a cowboy had my back 

a rescue made in Heaven 

sometimes, good guys come in black 

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

you're the one

I'd been waiting for this day 

didn't think it would come around 

chasing all the endless dreams 

with nothing worthwhile found 

and when I wasn't looking 

love crept in without a sound

this is not like the times before 

you've got me spinning with your love

 just can't leave, I'm wanting more 

you're every song I've ever sung 

you're every hope I've ever hung 

honey, you're the one 

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

Together

Together, we can face it all 

Tear down any barrier walls 

 Alone, I flounder sometimes fail 

Indecision can prevail 

Together, we are very strong 

Nothing seems to ever go wrong 

 Alone, not where I want to be 

Like it better when you’re with me 

Together, love is so intense 

You touch every single sense 

Alone, I am so often blue 

Only want to be with you 

Together, my body is set on fire 

Passion, loving and desire 

 Alone, no longer, we’re a team 

Together, forever, a recognized dream 

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

coyote haiku

in the desert dusk

coyotes howl at the moon 

eerie, chilling sound

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Rebound

I caught you on the rebound 

Heart broken and ego shattered 

I did my best to build you up 

Mend your heart that was laying in tatters 

You responded very slowly 

To the things that I could do 

Took a while to prop you up

It was always all about you 

Now that your heart has finally healed 

You say that you’ll move on 

You need a fresh beginning 

You’re feelings for me are gone 

Who will be my rebound 

And heal my tattered heart 

The time I wasted helping you 

Didn’t prepare me for you’re departure 

Where can my bleeding heart go 

To find the relief it needs

 I need a very strong shoulder 

It needs to be about me

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

Caffeine

I have a bad addition 

Addicted to caffeine 

Keeps me where I need to be 

Moving fast and chasing dreams 

Coffee in the morning 

Diet coke later in the day 

Makes my day just fly by 

Without it there’s no way 

No way to do the things I do 

Keep up with my list 

Without this one addiction 

A slow down would exist 

Keep on speeding forward 

A freight train always on track 

Life, it moves on way too fast 

No time to look back 

Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.