forever on my beach

in my mind I'm in Mexico 

my feet propped on my wall 

push the little piece of lime 

down in my Pacifico 

contemplating, resurrecting the way it all turns out

burying ghosts, faceless hosts

those things that plague me most 

why is it that I find myself 

but it doesn't last that long 

pack my bags, heading back 

while the CD plays that song 

maybe I should move there 

stay forever on my beach 

without cell phone calls no worries befall

just live my days in peace

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

Girl Scout merit

I thought, at first, it was all about me

that it was a poem you wanted me to see

reading of the future, the past left behind 

once again, silly me, I was reading it blind 

I felt confused bout what you were saying 

just like always--the meaning you're displaying 

straddling the fence--sitting in the middle 

the prose that is penned is teeming with riddles 

the joke's on me, once again a fool deceived 

you sit there rocking and laughing up your sleeve  

a Girl Scout merit from where I sit 

no matter who it's for, it's the way you prepare it

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

contrast

these thoughts that I pen 

are not truly contrasting 

to the way I feel

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

uncovered

what you have uncovered 

this truth that you discovered 

which was clear for all to see 

this heart that you have opened 

and has left me here just hoping 

won't bring you back here to me

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

sometimes

it is easier 

to let go of things you love

memories remain 

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

twitter

the truth I twitter 

without any followers 

on Facebook I hedge

the Oracle of Apollo 

what lays obscure

hidden from prying eyes

rests till I'm ready 

to bring it to light

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

New Years Eve

no fancy dress bought

for New Year's Eve

we're staying in

just you and me 

steaks on the grill

and a bottle of wine

I think that sounds

like a very good time

A fire burns bright

warming the room

we're starting to yawn

it's way too soon

in bed before midnight

it doesn't matter much

as we settle for sleep

our hands tightly clutched 

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

hold on to me

when the day is long
and we're far apart
nothing goes right
from the very start
my mind needing
a quick jumpstart
baby, hold on to me

when the night is long
and we're far apart
a waste of the moon
and those twinkling stars
and I am missing you
with all my heart
baby, hold on to me
baby, hold on to me

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

running on empty

didn't see the light turn red
thoughts that burn inside my head
running on empty, running hard
all around me lies in shards

all the things I try to hide
eating like a cancer inside
pour them out into a glass
a leaking sieve that empties fast

I can see it fading away
memories sweet from yesterday
as I hold on to what was untrue
doing my best to hold on to you

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

inspire

what inspires a poet 

to pen the things that we write 

about hope long lost, a new love affair 

or passion by candle's light 

I read sonnets written by others 

and I can see myself in their text 

I can place myself in some lines 

but I am not always there in the next

the subjects that inspire me

always have a rhyme and a reason 

and I hope to remain inspired 

and pen on for many more seasons

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

so far

so far it's been wine and roses 

so far the trail has been smooth 

so far the stars shine brightly 

and you think that I hung the moon 

so far it all fits together 

so far there has been no rain 

so far the road we've traveled 

to get past all of the old pains 

so far you've showed every reason 

so far there've been no test 

so far the path still to travel

so far to gather the rest

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

adhesive

it surrounds my heart 

an easy feeling

bonding us together

love's the adhesive

it's an absolute truth 

between you and me 

this road we're on 

all limits exceeded 

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

the truth

you're digging for the truth 

and using both of your hands 

it's a losing cause you know

against the shifting sands 

like a dying man's thirst 

as you race against the clock 

tryin to figure it out 

and why the thoughts don't stop 

you should have brought a shovel 

and a hat for the desert heat 

a thermos with some water 

replacing sweat excreted

when did I have it last? 

I thought I buried it there 

no answer to your questions 

as you labor with despair 

you reach into your pocket 

for a kerchief to wipe the grime 

and there you find the truth 

in your back pocket this whole time

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

chance

Contingency
Hope
Ambivalent
Need
Coincidence
Expectation

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

dreams to dawn

I meander through dreams looking for you
cloaked in darkness; confusion
I traipse through tall prairie grass and dense forest
observing from the shadows within while you wait
soundless, stoic, statuesque
a bird of prey, talons ready
I stumble over your heart's protective tripwire
and I fall....from dreams to dawn

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

I am

I am.... 

the last thought in your evening 

the first though in your dawn

moving in your memory 

swaying to your song 

I am...

a melody that you're singing

softly in your heart 

a minute in your history 

though miles that we're apart

I am... 

a book that you're re-reading 

a chapter in your soul 

a bookmark in your spirit 

the piece that makes you whole

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

for awhile

you lifted me 

as if I weighed nothing 

you carried me, when I needed it 

you kissed away the hurt and pain 

and for awhile it was sweet again 

for awhile it was spring 

for awhile you sang me a song 

for awhile it was like before... 

before I knew

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

tick

I read every word to see what makes you tick

the deeper I go the thicker it gets

still no clearer as I start to regress 

I find myself trapped in the midst of it 

meaning obscure, indefinable, vague 

the less clear it is, the less you betray 

it could be about you or anyone any day 

the less you give, the more you take away

I was always there waiting for you 

to drop the shroud and show me truth 

I stayed too long and got caught in the blues 

nothing you offer to keep me next to you

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

solace

no kisses come in the morning
or in the evening before I sleep
everyday, grows more apparent
I'm not the solace you seek

in the words of a stranger
in the heart of a friend
one has no beginning
the other has no end

a cactus flower in this valley
with the breeze I bend
white-washing all of the fences
that keep me here hemmed in

in the words of a stranger
in the heart of a friend
one has no beginning
the other has no end

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words not spoken

as we look for things 

we're afraid to find 

and we tear down walls

that we hide behind 

it's easier to be broken 

erase words not spoken 

look for what's not true 

painted in black and blue 

tear down the walls 

that we hide behind

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my sea

come with me
to my sea
let's make love
on the beach
sand and tide
day and night
livin on lovin
this feels right

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

inside

my hands on your face 

a probing kiss 

I close my eyes 

for a new taste 

that very first day 

cold and gray

forever in thought

exactly what I sought 

and what was rendered 

was full of splendor 

indelible memories 

ink stained on forever

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

long-distance melodies

there are too many words that we can say 

spoken over long-distance melodies 

casual greetings turn to breathless goodbyes 

 while you ponder, your heart wanders 

forgiveness spread thick like honey on bread 

washed down with truth and reasoning 

for what you put in and I got out 

zero credits in that account

there are too many words that we can say 

spoken over long-distance melodies 

a call that drops without return 

text open to interpretation

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

one hell of a night

it is in the lateness of the hour 

the clock ticks minutes off 

you say you will be right back 

do a disappearing act 

hey, what's up with that? 

later, when we're ready for bed 

you follow me down the hall 

to candles, music and turned down sheets 

something that's never been done for me 

romance done just right 

and it's one hell of a night!

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

you love me

I was out of touch just for awhile 

reality lay on a distant shore 

that's when you came into my life 

your love surrounds me

every aspect secure

giving more than I looked for

a candle in my darkness 

an angel with a devilish grin 

sunshine ending days of rain 

a dream that comes after sleepless nights 

serenity in many forms 

 my spirit smiles my soul responds

like the feeling I get by endless seas 

the moon casts light on what's to be

a million stars in my night

anticipation drips like honey 

all because you love me

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movies

let's go to the movies

and when the lights turn low 

snuggle up with popcorn 

and watch some of the show 

I won't need a jacket 

you're all the warmth I need 

there is nothing more romantic 

I don't care what we see 

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

triumph

it would have been so easy 

to let my body overrule my heart 

passion flowing like a sweet wine 

 past tastes remain bittersweet 

large chunks of sediment--

dregs poured out

my heart will never again pay the price 

that passion charges

this time love will grow 

building already like a summer monsoon 

intense with electrical energy

this time I will get it right 

when it all comes together 

simultaneously--

both will triumph

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the corner of the street

we bump into each other on the corner of the street 

you invite me for coffee and a breakfast treat 

you said "we've got some catching up to do" 

let's sit down here in this vacant booth

in between the "how are you's" and "what's new"

we talk about the kids and crazy work we do

we laugh a lot and before the afternoon is through 

everyone has left and there's only me and you 

you say "we really must do this again" "

it's always so good to catch up with a friend" 

we kiss, we hug and each go our own way

going back to the lives that separate

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this that I am

accept me for this that I am 

show me all that we can be 

forget what belongs to yesterday 

infusing all new memories

don't compare me to what once was 

let me dream of you in my rem 

show me all that I need to know 

love me for this that I am

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poetry

It is poetry to me
not to all
nor do I care
the thinking of thoughts
the rhyming of words
sometimes, too many
but still,
the ideas come
in everyday ways
things from my past,
the future yet to be
I will compose,
as long as
the good Lord allows
read me or not
comment or don't
it is for me
and
anyone to read

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

nothing prepared me for this

when day comes, dawn with its hues 

I awake and look over at you 

morning sun playing songs I missed 

nothing ever prepared me for this 

I make the coffee as you stretch in bed 

shaking away dreams from your tousled head 

another day, a good morning kiss

nothing ever prepared me for this 

everyday, every night that we span

thanking God that I am where I am 

for love that shines, for this sweet bliss 

nothing ever prepared me for this

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

perception

possession is not 9/10ths of the law 

perception is the thing that counts 

it's your perception that I'm obsessing 

about the possession you've got

from the conception I wanted to be the possession 

but all of my perceptions were wrong 

because of deception regarding preconceptions 

that extrasensory perception failed on

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room

room in your closet 

room for stuff I leave behind

room also in your heart

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hasn't been around much since

it seems like it was yesterday
we danced and played our childish games
loving, laughing like we were kids
the fun hasn't been around much since

it seems like just a minute ago
you were teasing me about something or the other
pulling my hair...grinning all the while
anything to make me smile

it's strange how quickly that it slips
how memories fade, how it all changes
not the same as when it started out
friendship rifts and starts to drift

the loving and laughter from when we were kids
hasn't been around much since
no, it hasn't been around much since

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

a smoothie

is missing one fruit 

it ripened much too quickly 

leaves a bitter taste

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souvenirs

you bought a ticket stow your bag overhead

headed out west to see cracked riverbeds

you talk to the saguaro like they are your friends

the answers aren't there and you round the bend

looking to the clouds for relief from the heat

removing your shoes, relieving your feet

you purchase the postcards to send from the trail

licked all the stamps and post them to mail 

you hike through the desert with the sun as your guide

no tan lines you show that you cannot hide 

time goes so fast and it's time to go home 

you pack up your heart, wishing the hours to slow 

a kiss for your lover and the ones you hold dear

heading back north, without souvenirs 

no answers to questions that continue to daunt

more now forthcoming and starting to haunt

put 'em in your backpack if just for one day

or leave them forever, keeping them at bay

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you and me

beginnings forgot 

countless hours of passion weep 

lovers hold steadfast

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burma shave

I read every sign

they were stretched out for miles 

couldn't piece them together 

took me a good while 

each one was a warning 

to watch out for the knave 

too late I found the answer 

to this Burma Shave

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your shirt

you hand me your shirt, the palest of yellow
said this is the one that I wore when we met
you button each one leavin' two at the top
sayin darlin, you sure make that shirt look real hot

and I don't remember the color of your shirt
all I remember is the total outlook
the careless appeal with that twinkle in your eyes
I knew I was a goner that very first night

stilettos click clack on the cool, dark tile
we snuggle up close for a movie and wine
long before the credits begin to role
we're lost in the moment of being so close

one by one, each button gets undone
we're back where we started...when I first put it on
nothing but white noise from the plasma tv
the shirt looks good on the floor where it lays

and I don't remember the color of your shirt
all I remember is the total outlook
the careless appeal with that twinkle in your eyes
I knew I was goner that very first night

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ante

too late to ante 

it's time to fold

your bluff is good 

with the cards you hold

five-card draw, 

winner take all 

I pay a price 

but after I call

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things

things I can live without... 

appendix 

tonsils 

gallbladder 

one kidney 

spleen 

you

 

so far 

I still have all of these 

God willing...

I will keep them 

you...

have already been surgically removed

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ridge line

from the ridge line, a mountain breeze 

among saguaro and mesquite trees 

a lone rider spurs his horse 

and from a distance lassos my heart 

not riding off into the sunset 

he has a thirst he needs to wet 

in the valley the oasis waits 

drink your fill, drink your fill

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end of day

eyes that travel sweet terrain 

shining soft with ecstasy 

exploring peaks and valleys soft

languishing before you 

hidden cave, scent of musk 

end of day, moon breaks dusk

the traveler reaches passion's summit 

slumbering after

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you gave me this and more

you gave me a song on a rainy day 

you gave me lyrics and melody 

you gave me music and a catchy tune

to keep in a safe place 

you gave me sun on a cloudy day

it wraps me in warmth and security

it shines inside my heart and soul 

making me smile inside and out 

you gave me the stars and glowing moon 

to light my way when it is dark 

you gave me a map of what's to be

so I can find you wherever you are

 

gave me this and more

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two steppin

our first long neck,  boots tapping in time
to the steel guitar and music that's prime
gonna dance all night, tomorrow's a day of rest
even if it wasn't we'd watch the dawn crest

when we're two-steppin nothing gets in the way
worked hard this morning so tonight we can play
hanging with friends at this country western dive
you paid for the first-- the only one you'll buy

this wood floor is dusty and some guys are playing pool
a fight will break out cause they don't use rules
baby, when we're dancing nobody else is in this room
we've started the evening and it's over much too soon

Buddy buys a round and takes Susie out to dance
he asked me for one but you told him "not a chance"
with your arm around me we're headin to the floor
the sun will be high when we leave that's for sure

when we're two-steppin nothing gets in the way
worked hard this morning so tonight we can play
hanging with friends at this country western dive
you paid for the first-- the only one you'll buy

the only one you'll buy


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little inside big

as small as I am 

I fit inside your arm's expanse 

you encompass me

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life

the small things in life 

so much bigger than great things

more numerous too 

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fantasy

if it's fantasy 

why do I still feel you here? 

your kiss on my lips

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body and soul

a movie reel in black and white

rewinding in my head 

nothing like I imagined 

when lines have been reread 

somewhere in the darkness

the light I could not find 

never seeing clearly 

while my heart was blind

through this obscure existence

alive but still alone 

the part that kept on fighting 

my heart that was long gone 

dreams that ended differently 

that held nightmares at bay 

when the moon has faded

and night turned into day 

sleepwalking through those moments 

as the credits start to role 

knowing it could have been heaven 

you had me body and soul

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