control

high on a mountain, in the desert breeze 

nothing but rocks and critters that sneak 

under the sun and relentless heat 

I cast you out far, away from me 

down I trek, careful where I step

down to the valley dripping with sweat 

feelings of remorse; in loneliness creeps 

when I get back home, you're waiting for me 

I can't rid this hold that you have on me

I think that it's gone, then it's back again 

always within, it stays in my soul 

what was it like...before you took control?

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

small change

I bank it all, 

the minuscule portion you give

it doesn't cost you much 

small change, well spent 

your investment is wise 

little do you know 

that the interest is great 

and would reward ten-fold 

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

left behind

I carried you over rough waters 

I protected you from the waves 

I steadied the world around you 

when your spirit started to cave 

I fed you when you were hungry 

with nourishment for your soul 

sustenance to restore you

kindness, forgiveness, consoling 

I warmed you when you shivered 

I shared with you my fire 

I took the chill from your night air 

although it was not required 

I gave to you my willing heart 

my body, soul and mind 

a gift I thought you'd cherish 

a treasure tread upon

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

light

I figured it out

after all this time 

I've got a grip 

on these feelings of mine

read some books 

that hit the mark 

I shed some light 

on what was dark 

I'll take it all 

everything that's there 

made plenty of room

for what you share 

don't park outside 

and not come in 

there's plenty of room 

I'll always make room 

there's plenty of room 

in my heart for you

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

confection

love is a drug

the addiction strong 

honey dripping sweet 

fragrant and so pleasing 

soaking really thick 

hooking you so quick 

coursing through your veins 

engorging fast your brain 

surrounds your beating heart 

confection for taste buds

a feeling so revered 

music to thine ears

a dance of purest pleasure 

one that we all treasure 

ah...love is a drug

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

you missed me

you said you missed me 

missed not holding my hand on the beach 

missed not showing me your Sonoran moon 

ah...you missed me 

you said you missed me 

that my time there was too long

that the ocean was too vast 

that there were too many stars 

ah...you missed me

in just a small span of days .

you missed me

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

to get to you

I'd climb the highest mountain 

craggy peaks won't hold me back

the fear or risk of falling

my heart may cut to shreds 

I'll face all of these obstacles 

if this is what I must do

it is worth the climbing 

just to get to you

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

sweet dream

once I thought I'd found a match 

we fit like tongue 'n groove 

just when I felt the planets collide

it was over--much too soon 

once I thought I lived a dream 

each kiss made me want more 

fantasy has a way of ending

like the other times before 

once I thought you wanted me 

my heart, my everything 

nothing is ever what it seems 

when we wake up from sweet dreams

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

tenfold

what we reap we sow 

what we give returns tenfold 

from the hearts we hold 

blues still come and go

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

waiting

I loaned my heart to you for a time 

when you were down and out

I thought you would return it 

but now I have my doubts

at night I lay here waiting 

for you to set it free

I don't think I'll get it back 

that chunk you took from me

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

more java

the dog needs fed and laundry needs done
here I sit, updating my blog
a day off should be just that
I want to be a bump on a log

you're out there trying to hunt and gather
I'm at the ranch my tag won't matter
you understand my strong work ethic
one of many things I love about you

plan my day, with an early morning cup
the moon's still there when I get up
late to bed always early to rise
need more java to fully awake

I feel the surge, caffeine does its thing
the cans at the curb and the dog finally ate
it'll get done maybe today or tomorrow
so what if what's left has to wait

fitbit says I should walk or move
my legs are crossed I'm wiggling my shoe
I know it's cheating but I don't care
I'd get more done if there was less to do

need to shop cause we're out of food
lunch at Sam's seems to fit my mood
a hotdog is good any day or any hour
that's right folks, I am what I am

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

blossom

love is like a flower

that blossoms with the sun 

closing tightly in the evening 

when the day is done

the petals soft and colorful 

the fragrance sweet and pure 

drawing close the humming bird 

with its strong allure 

pull me close, hold me tight 

pollinate my heart 

love me deep, love me true

love me when we're apart 

love me in the warm daylight 

underneath the moon and stars

love me with all of your heart 

don't let the blossom fall

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

edge of reason

a rider on the mountaintop 

lightning illuminates

hat pulled low he spurs his horse 

and rides down to my valley 

water for the mount of roan 

a blanket for the cold 

the cowboy spins his story 

I listen as it unfolds 

enraptured and transfixed 

I am captured by every word 

before the night is over 

the edge of reason blurred 

dawn reaches out its nice warm rays

through heavy breaking clouds

and while I'm laying there asleep 

you ride out at sunrise

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

this

this is my resistance 

this is my one response 

this was the way I say I love you 

this was my last chance 

this is my one romance

this was the crimson line 

this was the way I show you 

this was all there is 

this was the wall where I fall 

this was the path where I break

this was the song where it all went wrong

this was the final dance

this was the place where you draw the line 

this was where it all changes 

this is where my heart bleeds 

this is where the rending starts 

this is the way I've come to know

this is the winding road 

this is the narrow doorway 

this is the back I see

this is the door that is finally shut 

this is the window that is closed

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

tlc

tender loving care 

hands strong and expertly skilled

all the stress relieved

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

passport

my passport is laying dusty 

on the dresser in my room 

constantly, reminding me 

of my last trip to the sea 

I need to squeeze in one more trip 

to this place I love 

where serenity, engulfs me 

and the white noises leave quietly

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

I wake

your arm across me 

while you sleep 

warm and safe

protected, sheltered

loved

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

running back to you

dealing with too much worry
never any good news
I'm thinking of running away
running back to you

I need someone to hold me
a different point of view
I'm thinking of running away
running back to you

I need a tower of strength
from these times that leave me blue
I'm thinking of running away
running back to you

I need your love and passion
a heart to fall into
I'm thinking of running away
running back to you

I want to feel your shelter
a smile the sun shines through
I'll be there tomorrow
I'm running back to you

always running back to you

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

kissed a lot of frogs

waiting for my prince 

you fell from heaven above

frogs a waste of time

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

when you

when you can learn a lesson 

when you get a new perspective 

when you work through the pain 

and discover what remains 

when you take a giant step 

when you have a little help 

when you don't have a plan 

but it works itself out 

when you look inside 

when you chuck the pride 

when my heart finally accepts 

tears no longer wept

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

norm

outside the norm 

but an inside part 

over their lines 

but inside my heart

not listening to others 

decide what's for me 

the books and tapes

discussing thoughts and feelings 

gonna live outside the rules 

of typical behavior 

an aggregate response 

a taste I'll savor 

outside the norm 

but an inside part 

crossing over their lines

but listening to my heart 

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

piper's tune

I want to dance

to the piper's tune

I want to love you 

under a crescent moon 

you started a fire 

I still feel the heat

and what it brought 

was what I needed 

so dance with me baby 

to the piper's tune 

hold me tight, 

one more night 

under a crescent moon 

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

a cappella

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

brick upon brick

love that we build 

laying brick upon brick 

mortared with heart and hope 

a firm foundation 

that is holding fast

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

you

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

You Rock!

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

contrast

once again I dream 

vivid visions that vary 

contrasts dark to light

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

I'll take it

too long denying 

too hard trying

it is what it is 

I'll take it like this 

too many tears 

too many fears 

but you I always miss 

I'll take it just like this 

I pushed you away 

but want you here to stay 

let's seal it with a kiss 

and keep it just like this

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

rescue

I don't need a hero 

I don't want to be saved 

you can come to my rescue 

with an invisible cape 

I jumped off the ledge

the feeling is not new 

a hero cannot save me 

from falling in love with you

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

wizard of oz haiku

no thoughts like Scarecrow 

no heart to break like Tinman

no courage like Lion

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

the sea

my house by the sea 

smelling the salty air 

as waves crash on the beach 

the sound of the waves 

as they cover the sand 

smoothing the beach once again 

erasing footsteps and castles 

under the moon’s soft light 

and the sea’s evening flow

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

dreams haiku

when I close my eyes 

thoughts of us run through my mind

dreams of what could be

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

storm

lightning flashes in the dark sky 

following by rolling thunder

vibrating deep inside my soul 

shaking everything that I know 

rain falls heavy, filling the wash

soaking unprotected life 

zero the visibility 

so many things that I don't see 

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

all or part

all or part of what I give 

more than love this way of living 

more tomorrow than yesterday 

this is my gift to you 

all or part of every dream 

we piece it together with fantasies

more tomorrow than yesterday 

this is my gift to you 

all or part of what we are 

days of blue or thunderstorms 

more tomorrow than yesterday 

this is my gift to you

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

us fools

what is it or was it I could have done? 

to bring this rain that blacks my sun 

you made all the rules 

I danced happily to your tune 

time doesn't change 

the way for us fools 

I love you now and all yesterdays 

paying the piper all of his wages 

I drank from the well 

till it all ran dry 

asking the questions, 

the what and the whys 

you know deep down I played my part 

walking away with this broken heart 

you made all the rules 

I danced happily to your tune 

time doesn't change

the way for us fools

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

with you

I can understand what you do 

I can believe what you say is true 

time not wasted 

love not tasted 

fantasies created 

with you

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

stop

take this heart 

make it fill 

with hopes and dreams 

until it spills 

don't quit then 

though it's at the top

keep on going 

till I say stop

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

blank pages

a new book 

a new chapter

beginning with the start 

ending with the end 

blank pages 

in between

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

lace

black satin and lace 

a slow, sweet taste 

the moon winks down 

on what it found

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

loves me not

I don't pretend that you love me 

it would be a child's game 

like pulling petals from a flower 

"loves me not" is what it's saying

I don't pretend that I hold a spot 

inside the chamber of your heart 

not more than lovers, nor less than friends

I am addicted and play a part 

I don't pretend or keep hidden 

here inside these words I pen 

references plainly you can read 

depending if I hit send

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

forward and back

what I think and what I feel

flow freely from my pen

up and down, high and low 

forward and back again 

never vague, always true

these words I feel and express 

not delusional, not even close 

never any nearer to you

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

oasis

I could see it off in the distance
it beckons: an oasis to the parched
a haze of palm trees and flowing fountains
shade and respite, laughter and love
an offering of the sweetest wine, a promise of a lifetime

mirage--the closer I get the further off it seems
never quite able to grasp or taste
to drink my fill of you
the wind blows, the sand shifts
the oasis no longer visible
if it was ever there at all

the first few minutes

not that long ago, 

the day when we first met 

I knew it was day, 

I would not forget

all the planets aligned 

chills rushed down my spine 

in the first few minutes 

you had me

dreaming out loud 

floating like a cloud 

running on the beach 

hugging every tree 

you had me driving 

a smooth road 

thought I would explode 

the sun shining down on me 

everything as it should be 

that was the first few minutes 

time has a way of turning 

everything around 

it doesn't always end, 

the way that it starts out 

you live the highs and lows, 

rocking to and fro 

around and around it goes

and if you're lucky,

you can feel it it grow

you had me 

dreaming out loud 

floating like a cloud 

running on the beach 

hugging every tree 

you had me driving 

a smooth road 

thought I would explode 

the sun shining down on me 

everything as it should be 

that was the first few minutes 

that was only the first few minutes!

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

rpm's

the rpm's are starting to slow 

each spin revolving smoothly

evolution takes on new light 

as minutes fall in line with clarity.

clear like crystal thunderous wonder 

sweeps with the speed of light

reaching across the mountain's peak 

catching me off balance 

with stealth from my blind-side

it enraptures,

complete surrender 

embracing all that I find

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

Tick

Do you pray to God? 

Only when in need?

Promising a change 

If He will intercede 

Do you see your soul? 

In the mirror when you look 

What does it reveal? 

Anything you’ve overlooked? 

Do you see the clock? 

As it ticks your time away 

Seconds, minutes, hours 

How heavy does it weigh? 

Do you see the years? 

Like a brushfire that has burned

Laying in smoke and ash 

From a heart that doesn’t yearn

Do you see your life? 

As it passes before your eyes 

Speeding quickly forward 

Where the consequences lie

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

creekside

Down by the creek my baby and I
Sat all day watching clouds roll by 
He wanted  pictures and I don’t know why
All of my memories, I keep in my mind

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

breakfast with you

as the coffee perks
muffins on a plate
butter on the table
breakfast will have to wait

your arms around my waist
a hug to start my day
kisses on my neck
pushing my hair away

another beautiful morning
your love starts it right
a morning song perfected
to hold us till it's night

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