always back to you

gravity attracts, stronger than a magnet 

force shield broken, I already tried it

there's something I can't put my finger on 

something pulling me back to you 

the steps are steep, but I keep climbing 

up through the clouds to my piece of heaven 

sometimes I slip, I'm close to the edge 

something pulling me back to you 

sometimes there's a light at the end of the tunnel 

sometimes it's dim and my thoughts get muddled 

I'll keep going to get to where you are 

it's worth every penny, no matter the price 

there is something I can't put my finger on 

something that's pulling me back to you 

always, always back to you

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

spark

what is this difference that I feel 

this  instant fire and energy 

from that very first moment 

an instant chemistry 

are you using heavy artillery? 

I don't think it's needed 

if this is you au natural 

you're sweeping me off my feet

just the first electrical spark 

that I've been looking for 

infused right from the very start 

as you reopen that door

your words are just like poetry 

an arrow straight through my heart 

as one misses the opportunity 

another will take it and runs

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

if

if you fell for it

believe that I don't love you 

then you are a fool

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

crown of thorns

it's all curled up, resting demure and sweet 

laying face down, harmless and still 

it snarls and growls like the beast that it is 

when you turn it over or step on its tail 

viciously it bites, inflicting before it runs

there aren't enough drugs to ease its pain 

the bitterness dies and so does regret

like the wind from the mountains 

we change what we can and bury the rest 

no questions of why or who knows what's best 

another failure, another flunked test 

we let it all go, saying never again 

no medals awarded for this crown of thorns 

it shrinks so much smaller as distance grows 

the memories fade like the trail behind

the heart will just keep on

as it just seems to do 

believing that next time 

it will all be different

it will all be different

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

Relationship

Relationships revolve, as they 

Evolve

Laying

A foundation 

That is strong 

In others we plant seeds 

Offering what we both 

Need 

Sealing 

Hearts 

In a lasting 

Partnership 

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

no fond goodbyes

I walked through the fire

without getting charred

swam through the waters

brimming with sharks

fell down the mountain

without bruises or scars

but when I met you 

I had let down my guard

too late I learned

what loving you meant

living in my heart

without paying rent

after paying the piper

leaving not one red cent

you pack all your gear

and down the road you went

no fond goodbyes

or anything close

not one to miss me

more so than most

not one comparison

from those that oppose

I should have known better

than to let you impose

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

Judas Kiss

a Judas Kiss 

scorches my lips 

you didn't tip your hand, 

show your will 

or the fact that it was done 

betrayal affronts me 

confounding thoughts and feelings 

all that I thought we were

the silence is deafening

ricocheting through my heart

echoing emptiness and despair 

a perfect deception 

hiding all, 

building walls of departure 

separating fact from fiction 

I did not see it

trusting, believing, 

blinded by what I wanted 

the joke is on me 

the Judas Kiss 

that scorched me will 

burns eternal in my soul

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

Star

I took one of the stars from the sky, 

the brightest one 

It illuminates my life 

There are still a lot of them 

left for you

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

No Goodbyes

I would rather say 

à bientôt 

or vaya con dios 

never goodbye

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

evening

the shadows of the mountain 

stretch long across the valley 

as evening approaches 

I sit on the patio

reflecting on the day 

reflecting on you 

are you reflecting also? 

thinking of me 

wondering what I am doing? 

soon it will be dark 

the stars will shine

the moon will rise

I will stay here 

a little while longer 

thinking of you!

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

one day left haiku

I almost missed you 

only one day left for us

timing was perfect!

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

Dog Tag

The last piece of you has been taken from me 

A piece that I thought was insignificant

But, I had it for so long 

that it was a part of me 

It was the first thing you ever gave me 

It was on my key chain 

from the beginning 

I saw it daily 

and it was a reassurance, 

a reminder 

I knew right away that it was gone 

And I searched and searched, 

but it is gone, forever 

Yes, the memories 

of our time together 

Will always remain, 

put in their place, 

filed away 

The anger and loss 

of that one little piece of you 

Tore my heart out, 

brought the loss of you back 

I cried at this loss, 

and from the emptiness 

that came flooding back 

This too, is now filed away, 

with the rest......closure

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

blues

a portrait begins of wondrous things 

crescent moons and love songs sang 

painted in every colorful hue 

all the colors of a love that's new 

time progresses, lyrics slow 

hues turn darker losing the glow 

love comes down to black and white 

your heart gone, mine unrequited

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

pushing west

you can spend your time on warmer schemes 

things searched for and what they mean 

a change in horizons, west it seems 

a climate that suited best your dreams 

a cowboy without mountain peaks

passion pushing what you seek 

now it's laying at your feet

the flavor of victory that you seek 

bury those unpleasant sorrows 

plant your heart in arid tomorrows 

nourish it, let it thrive and grow

love shines honest in the valley below

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

vacation

a four hour drive is worth the price

a chance at heaven with endless nights 

stars that glow and lunar light

my spirit calm, my mind is right 

it is over much too soon 

pack my car and leave at noon 

it floats away like a helium balloon 

over green seas and sandy dunes

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

looking back

you wake and find me gone 

I'm not one for hanging on 

to dreams that drift in cloudless skies 

I'll be gone when you open your eyes 

you'll not think you did something wrong 

it's not in you, not where you belong 

the sun will rise and hide muddy tracks 

what you didn't see till you look back 

you won't miss me, I wasn't even there 

I wasn't the answer to your prayers 

wear the shroud, hide it in the dark 

the shadow will not miss the spark 

you wake and find me gone 

I'm not one for hanging on 

dreams that drift in cloudless skies 

I'll be gone when you open your eyes 

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

ripe

promise comes and shines its light 

a new piece of heaven in azure sky 

it grows ripe on a green vine

to taste this wonder that is now mine 

arms to hold me in the night 

kisses burn and do excite 

heating passion as I squeeze tight 

hidden joy and love's delight 

fantasy plants its seed again 

juice drips freely down my chin 

no turning back once I begin 

I'm staking claim and digging in

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

closed doors

I read the words on the little screen 

without any thought, without any feeling 

they mean nada, nothing to me 

that door closed--not opening 

doors I close without a pause 

not to make you feel any flaws

not a vendetta, I'm not your cause 

if you read this, you know who you are 

never an answer to any of my dreams 

a one-oared boat on a quick moving stream 

remember way back when once you screamed 

a little overboard.. a little too extreme 

go ahead and comment when you're feeling brave 

nothing but this is for you anyway 

answers won't come to anything you say 

the door stays closed on your yesterdays

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

free

as you lie in crescent light 

love reflecting in her eyes

I am awake, another sleepless night 

with abstract dreams unrealized

loves conviction, a contorted shape 

hidden by a shadowed face 

again my heart loses trust and faith 

against condemned walls it scratches and scrapes 

as distance grows between you and me 

a faithful wound continues to bleed

the songs you write for her to read 

the final straw that sets me free 

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

Cowboy

I’m lookin' for a cowboy 

With, boots, hat and a horse 

The kind that doesn’t line dance 

Do real cowboys do that? 

Tall and lean and muscular 

From ridin' the range all day 

Ropin', brandin', workin' hard 

Always fences to mend 

Yeah, there’s something about a cowboy 

And romancin' under the moon 

He can sweep me off my feet 

Or maybe use a lasso 

We’ll get in his pickup 

Or maybe we can ride double 

I can ride in front of him 

So he can keep me from fallin’  

At the end of a long hard day 

His boots tucked under my bed 

He’ll fulfill my fantasies 

Just please don’t call me ma’am!

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

Filed Away

Now the drawer is finally shut 

The ghosts are laid to rest 

All the memories filed away 

The bad along with the best 

The thoughts don’t come now everyday

Only every once in a long while 

Something that trips a trigger 

Makes me remember and smile 

Each piece of you is in my past 

Finally, I’ve moved on 

Didn’t know if it would ever happen 

But you are completely gone 

Starting new, starting fresh 

Get on with my life 

A world of possibilities 

A new world to contrive

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

moot

I wonder how it feels 

as the chalk is rubbed away 

to know that what you mean 

is exactly what you say 

the words hang there like cobwebs 

heavy in a dusty room 

serving as a shelter

protecting like a womb 

there's a shadow on the floor 

a taped outline of truth 

and what you heard was me 

although my point was moot

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

secrets

that hidden place 

where secrets go

a tiny room 

only lovers know 

latent time 

where I have no will 

a memory that 

is hard to kill 

we dance the dance 

and sing a tune 

off kilter 

and a bit off key 

in the next life 

we might get it right 

but for a while 

it served its need 

you scratch a heart 

into a dead tree 

initials there 

for you and me 

and if no one 

is there when it bleeds

are there sound waves

amongst the trees

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

perception

a one sided perception 

in the mirrored reflection 

feelings that get penned 

when I feel hemmed in 

always the same direction 

about a heart's inflection

rain that just won't stop 

and potholed riddled blacktops

not looking for resurrection 

or scattered, raw affections 

just looking to make sense 

using a different tense

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

20/20

conclusions drawn in crimson

they're the hardest to erase 

as is seeps from every pore 

pooling on tile like waste 

I guess that some would say

it has a bitter aftertaste 

it shrouds like a hooded cape

never quite fading away 

it's there in all of my dreams 

remaining here when I wake 

gnawing like a critter 

that is trying to satiate 

is it all illusion? 

a cruel magician's trick 

a smoke and mirrors side-show 

the sleight of hand is quick 

with one quick glimpse it goes 

now you see it, then you've tripped 

it's a double edged sword

that I have fallen and I curse

it's the fickle hand of fate 

and maybe it could be worse

the whole thing has me pondering 

if I could have changed the course 

hindsight is 20/20 

you don't need glasses to see

maybe with cleaner lenses

 you could avoid the trees

it's hard to change directions 

in the middle of what will be

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

parking lot

you've been circling for hours 

trying to find a small space 

where all the pieces fit 

you'll park the remaining trace 

the electric arm went up 

you got a ticket at the gate 

but the lot is way too full 

this wasn't anticipated 

the choices are keep it with you 

or driving around and waiting 

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

one kiss (M)

is not a promise

it is more like a thank you

nothing more than that

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

I love you

it's moving much too fast 

no time to stop and reflect 

before it's time to go 

I'm in up to my neck 

I can't think for myself 

reasoning just won't do 

my mind spins on its axis 

my thoughts are far from few 

everyone is wanting something 

I think there is nothing left 

I am dusting off my soul 

my spirit has started to drift 

my heart is palpitating 

trying to figure out what to do 

I can't remember a day 

when I didn't have the blues 

I start to make a list 

by the light of the crescent moon

listing all the ways

that you left me the blues

still I write it down

what else is there to do 

and scrawled across the top 

it starts with "I love 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

it happens every time 

I didn't sign on for this 

here between the lines 

in happiness and reminisce 

I fell for all your charms 

I melt in your abyss 

sometimes it implodes 

c-4 taking down the shell 

touch and taste it all 

look deep where it all dwells 

you can stop this spinning

as you bid your fond farewell 

publish it in the papers 

yesterday's news will sell 

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

I believe

I will be happy 

this I believe

I'll meet someone 

who loves only me 

he'll chase away the clouds

and bring me only sun 

poetic verse in love songs 

dancing when the day is done 

this I believe 

this I believe

this I believe

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all/part

it's all part of believing 

that it can come to you 

more than that, it's what's in my heart 

that I want to share with you 

it's all part of my giving 

and I'm giving it all to you 

more than love it's a way of loving 

and what it could bring to you

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

flailing

there are angels on the water 

spirits in every wave 

and if it washes over me 

it may sanctify and cleanse 

my heart is at the ocean

there is turbulence in my thought 

but the angels walking on water 

may not relieve this pain 

the heavy truth sinks like a stone 

and falsehoods are the swells 

I'm going through the motions 

and flailing in this hell

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

video

once I made a video 

I'm dancing to a tune 

I can dance all by myself 

or I can dance with you 

once I wrote a love song 

from feelings that you knew 

I can sing it to myself

or I can sing it to you

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

if I

got paid commissions 

for the times you made me blue 

I could quit my job 

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

phone

I don't carry it in my pocket 

don't sleep with it by my bed 

it doesn't flash and it doesn't ring 

I think the battery's dead

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

all that I am

I am the sunrise in the morning 

the moon and stars at night 

a loving heart to guide you 

a candle you can light 

I will give you all of that 

I am the breeze blowing down the mountain

a gentle rain that brings relief

I am the song playing in your head 

and this you should believe 

I will give you all of that 

I am the whisper of love arriving 

soft footsteps in the sand 

a shadow watching over

if you will take my hand

I will give you all of that 

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

long ago

once you held me safe and warm 

through lightning flashes, monsoon storms 

love songs played and so we danced 

hearts in tune that took a chance 

long ago fades quickly away 

embers burned, ash remains

things my heart once used to know 

diminish now to afterglow

 

but my love yearns to remember...

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

war

I gain my strength

from battles I wage

one after another

day after day

minute upon minute

I learn strategy

and on I will fight

my most gallantly

the highs and the lows

the times in-between

from the peaks and the valleys

and now dried up streams

from where I once went

down the paths I must go

there's no holding back

till I strike final blows

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drift

I drift 

on a splinter from a bridge 

the sliver that missed your heart

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

wonderland

in this wonderland, wonder wanders 

in this dreamlike state, dreams drift 

in this fantasy-land, fantasy fades 

in this promise-land, promise ponders 

as it floats away on a cloud 

the sun shines on a barren memory 

rain falls on concrete 

love, loves itself 

more than it loves me

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

ocean breeze

love lingers lost in black clouds, 

stormy skies 

in the empty chambers of the heart 

silence echoes, soundless waves in the air 

escaping your spirit, raining down on me 

liquid silver drops pelt from heaven

fog hangs heavy on violent seas

as seduction buries itself 

like a crab in the sand 

waiting for the ocean breeze 

to blow them away

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

love

how do I move it? 

from yesterday to today

from there to here 

from was to is 

from fantasy to real 

from once to now 

from you to new

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

sssshhhhh

it was the silence 

the gift you gave most often

that brings reckoning

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tunes

birds happily chirp 

windchimes are playing their tune 

morning sounds are best :)

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

self portrait

with calm and turmoil

I paint my canvass

guts and grit

dripping from my brush 

I paint boldly

with courage and trust

and when it is dry

it is a self portrait

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

kodachrome

saw you in a photograph 

we met on a crowded street 

I didn't recognize your face

but my heart skipped a beat 

my defenses crumbled 

the wall fell at your feet 

knowingly you step around 

as you made a hasty retreat 

how quickly it all changes 

like the seasons full of treason 

under trance of circumstance 

I'm left without rhyme or reason 

saw you in a photograph 

we met on a crowded street 

I didn't recognize your face 

but my heart sure skipped a beat

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

play

an incomplete pass 

I see it as it spirals 

I am a good catch

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a song of forever

sing me a song of forever

a slow waltz that we can dance to 

not for a minute or few hours 

but a lifetime with me and with you 

read me a story about loving 

about how it was lost and then found 

make it a happily ever after 

a book that I just can't put down 

tell me again that you love me 

touch me as only you can 

at the end of the day, as the sun fades

show me so I understand

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mountaintop

on a desert mesa

coyotes howl at the moon 

rattlesnakes slither under rocks 

looking for warmth when it cools

scorpions saunter aimlessly 

looking for prey to sting 

mountain lions search for their next meal 

on turf where they are king 

every cactus, every living plant 

has brambles that cut when touched 

all of these dangers, and many more 

live on God's mountaintop

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