Tuesday, May 31, 2022

Violeta Pacheta (VRW)

Violeta Pacheta
my favorite girl
I sing you this song
as you laugh and twirl
I know it's not really
your given name
but Violeta Pacheta
is one and the same
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Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

Violet

Violet, sweet Violet
like a flower you're named
or maybe the color
it's one and the same
wisdom/sensitivity 
both which are you
growing more so each minute
with your vibrant hues

motivation and spirit
in all that you do
always with a smile
that lights up the room
little and funny
how quickly you grow
on all those around you
and all those you know

grow little flower
keep your face to the sun
the wind at your back
as through life you run
always in my prayers
and deep in my heart
a little Violet flower
I loved from your start
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Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

undeveloped

I've learned when you ponder, it disappears
the ruminations and deep down fears 
it's like the question fails to come near
fog in our mist bringing up the rear

the editing, spliced, on the dark room floor 
contorted images, a mask of horror 
I would have settled, but now I need more 
it stays undeveloped, locked in a drawer 

I tried to run, but could never hide 
as all I feel explodes from deep inside 
you see it all and let it slide
a few little lies and a compromise 

the clouds form, dark, in the desert sky
lightning flashes illuminate night 
I thought I saw but I was blind 
reality chokes my air supply 

my spirit leaves as the battle rages 
you've read the book, studied the pages 
a twelve step program, designed in stages 
the truth always wins, and has for ages

nothing

nothing you can see
nothing you can say
nothing is gonna stop me
or get in my way

every feeling here
every idea begins
every fantasy laid bare
making my mind spin

I'm not turning back
I'm not gonna quit
I'm in way too deep
this love is way too thick

don't you feel the love?
don't you hear my heart?
don't you think it's time
to finally let it start?
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Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

stand up (JJW)

you dance to a beat
only you can hear
without hatred
showing no fear
standing tall
for what you feel
singing songs on
your hearts reel

go your own way
don't look back
learn what you need
from real life hacks
sing your songs
and play your tunes
show what it's like
stand up for you
Creative Commons License
Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

Thursday, May 26, 2022

backdrop

the western sky is red tonight 
a full moon lights the stage 
a backdrop for love 
stars that glow 
seen from a moon-roof 
on a warm desert night 
it all starts with a kiss 
it all comes together as bliss 
if we could only stay like this
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surrender

I'm giving up, giving in 
that's it baby,
I'm surrendering 
no use fighting 
the way I feel 
I can't hide it 
this is real 
I'm surrendering 

you had me hooked 
from that first kiss 
it's been a long time
since I felt like this 
take it all 
every feeling inside 
wrap my heart around your finger 
I surrender 

all of these things

what makes you laugh?
what makes you cry?
what you tell yourself
to just get by
the deep down truth
and what it means
I want to know
all of these things

your fantasies
your darkest night
the things you think
when your mind takes flight
your highest high
what you don't show
all of these things
I want to know

let me climb inside
and travel your mind
see it all first hand
and learn with time
let me be the one
that sets you aglow
all of these things
I want to know
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Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

Wednesday, May 25, 2022

faith

I'm still believing, baby 
still believing in me and you 
I believe in these dreams of mine 
and will for quite some time 
I believe that you'll still sing
I believe that we'll still dance
I'm keeping my faith in love 
I'm keeping my faith in you 
I believe that as long as this fire
is raging down deep inside 
that if I believe it long enough
you will keep it ignited

golden

I can't see the future 
but I've seen the past 
don't want to wake up 
cause the dream will pass
the trees are bare 
but the streets are golden 
my spirit is calm 
cause my heart you are holding

when you awake

I'm speeding on this blacktop
taking corners way too fast 
passing on solid lines 
making up for our lost time 
can I get there quick enough? 
or is it way too late? 
sitting at all red lights
as dusk creeps into night 

are you waiting up? 
can you feel I'll be there soon? 
I'm glancing at the clock 
did you leave the door unlocked? 
if you're aslewhen he I arrive
I'll quietly slip in by you 
when you awake in the early dawn
you'll be wrapped, in my arms

Monday, May 23, 2022

struck

I won't say that I'm sorry 
I can't apologize 
when all the truth comes forward
reflected in my eyes 
I won't keep you longer 
you are much too wise 
as truth hangs in the balance 
the mask won't cover the guise 

you cover me with roses 
and lay me down with hope
reason is not forth coming 
not in the broader scope 
I climb the ladder with fantasy 
it is a slippery slope 
and I light just one more candle 
and in the darkness grope 

we reach and understanding
I wish you all the luck
but when it starts to rain 
it's not worth a sawbuck 
it lays in wreck an ruin 
no way is it unstuck 
lightning flashes quickly 
I'm the only one that's struck 

distraction

I need some kind of distraction 
maybe romance under the moon 
something to take my mind off 
of all these thoughts of you 
I'm trying to out run you 
but it's a one way street 
always too much traffic 
quickly you outrun me 
It's like swimming in the ocean 
with a dangerous undertow 
and I am so close to drowning 
I'm just too tired to float 
I need some kind of distraction 
maybe romance under the moon 
something to take my mind off
 of all these thoughts of you

affliction

never one to play it safe 
always bending the rules 
always pushing the envelope 
using all the tools
as I buck the system 
fight predisposed convictions 
I don't see this as an affliction 
but more of a contradiction
if there is an "out" I'll find it 
if there is a line, I'll cross it
if there is a wrong, I'll right it 
if there is a border, I'll smudge it

Sunday, May 22, 2022

make it go

as it grows
I just don't know
fast or slow
just make it go
what it will take
as my heart breaks
the cells it takes
my body aches
God, take it away
and keep it at bay
this prayer I do pray
each night and each day
in six months once more
I'll find out the score
will my spirit soar?
as I come to that door
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Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

sight

some gifts are true, 
viewed with blind eyes 
while love goes completely 
unrecognized 
it hides in your heart, 
and deep in my mind 
you travel the road, 
look for posted signs 

you look for some joy, 
but there's none to be found 
walls everywhere, 
when you turn around 
it's like a frayed wire, 
that's just not well grounded 
love abounds, still
you won't let surround 

you stumble in the darkness, 
and can't find my light 
my love was still yours, 
the path was just right
it reflected in my eyes, 
was hidden in plain sight 
you couldn't feel the heat
 that raged in the night?
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one last look

I can tell by that look 
you found what you missed 
a part of your soul
that failed to exist 
may you find the happiness 
that you waited for 
I wish you the best 
and all you deserve 

you were deep in my heart 
she was deep in yours 
I take one last look 
before I shut this door 
may you find the happiness 
you waited for 
I wish you the best 
and all you deserve 

it is not so sudden 
but now it is clear 
I knew it would be soon 
now that it's here 
I love you from me 
wasn't music to your wars
I wish you the best 
this wish is sincere

Saturday, May 21, 2022

citation

my heart gets pulled over 
the fines are numerous 
I peruse  the citations 
knowing they are justified: 

too fast for conditions 
failure to negotiate turns 
running the red lights 
following too close 
ignoring the road signs 
passing on solid lines 
loving without a license

the price is not too high 
I will gladly pay 
when the officer leaves 
I start it all again

day to day

he touched her nights 
she touched his thoughts
he put it away 
she lives it day to day 
each memory that ignites 
each candle burning bright
the crescent moon, 
the star light frames
the passion of lost nights 
he left her many dreams 
she didn't leave a trace
he put it all away 
she lives it day to day

mon ami

say a prayer for me 
to find what you have found 
to bask in someone's love
to be adored in their eyes 

say a prayer for me
mon ami, my dear friend 
I wish you all the best 
wish the same for me 

say a prayer for me 
that I haven't used it up 
that I'll get one more chance 
to love the way you love 

say a prayer for me 
I say a prayer for you 
to protect your heart and soul 
to always know deep love

Thursday, May 19, 2022

lullaby

you burn in me 
a raging inferno
raising my blood pressure
quickening my pulse 
a stroke of your hand 
lips that whisper 
an urgent lover's song 
let me sing it with you 
as you lay me down 
under dark velvet skies
as I softly sigh 
sing this lullaby 
again and again 
sing this lullaby again

straight edge

ponder what it all means 
your life with just your dreams 
no longer wasting your time 
this fish gone from the line 

what will you do with that space? 
when I'm gone without a trace 
a straight-edge razor cut 
redemption won't hold you up
 
my gift to you, your space 
a memory cd erased
new memories for you to make
new hearts for you rot break

you should have told me

darlin you should have told me 
you can't wrap your mind around
the way my heart keeps calling 
when monsoon rain pours down
the truth is in the corner 
written plainly on the wall 
I guess I couldn't see it 
cause the rain had washed it off 

darlin you should have told me 
your love doesn't have the room 
it's all tangled up in longing 
your heart's already consumed 
you embrace it in the darkness 
but it fades in the light of day 
the picture that is painted
is whitewashed in black and gray 

darlin you should have told me 
I was only spinning my wheels 
you looked it over a couple of times 
there is nothing you want to feel 
someday you'll write some lyrics
it will make such a beautiful song 
about love that was unrequited 
about a heart that you wrong

Wednesday, May 18, 2022

numbered

sometimes a wall is just a wall 
I stand against it feeling small 
maybe it's there to serve and protect 
from the depths of a deeper fall 

would I want it all to change?
that thought is foreign and strange 
I would do it in a flash
all it means is changing lanes

can't hang on to a shooting star 
when it is too far off to call
there's less twinkle in my twilight 
you're better off there where you are 

these days, numbered, growing tall
no one gets to me at all 
you are not the reason there're gone 
that' is just the way they are

you and me

you and me
the sun and sea 
desolate sand 
on this quiet beach
sun that warms 
moon that glows 
secrets only 
the sea will know

ponder

I will not waste this precious time
wondering why my love won’t rhyme
or of dreams that do recede
like the tide on this vast sea

I will not ponder what to do
about a love that leaves me blue
plenty of time for that at home
when at night I lay alone

I will not squander hours here
it goes too fast then disappears
instead, I’ll enjoy this solitude
deciding later what to do about you

Tuesday, May 17, 2022

skipping pages

I'm reading a book 
but skipping pages 
a true story 
about a fire that rages 
viewed from a valley 
surrounded by ranges 
dense black smoke 
from the scorching sages 

I skim ahead, 
parts quite enthralling 
some chapters don't fit 
this book at all 
other parts tear 
at my hearts wall
it doesn't end 
quite like I thought

lower the bar

I need to lower the bar 
the measure I'm using is wrong 
I look too deep inside 
and quickly move along
it's not that I ask too much 
romance and a hand to hold 
seeking one that is true 
a heart that is made of gold 

do you think there are any left? 
someone who'll rock my world 
a kindred spirit that wants 
and can make my heart unfurl 
I need to lower the bar 
the measure I'm using is wrong 
I look too deep inside 
and quickly move along

Monday, May 16, 2022

thief

like a thief in the night
coming in crescent light
you slip inside of me
stealing all of my dreams

what is a gal to do?
to get her mind off you
you stay when I awake
causing way too much heart ache

Heaven

from here I can see Heaven
it is in the clouds
and on this beach
it is the rays of the sun
sparkling on the sea
it is the moon and stars
reflecting on the ebbing tide

yes...
this is Heaven
this is where Your grace rests
and where I want to stay
it is where my spirit soars
and where my soul finds peace
it is heaven for me
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Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

cleanse

laying on the sandy beach 
at the ocean's edge 
toes close to the water 
hands behind my head 
I shut my eyes real tight 
and suck in deep my breath
I'm ready for the briny waves 
to sanctify and cleanse 
this always worked before 
but doesn't help this time 
the wound is way too deep
and burns when the sea gets in

no such thing

there is no such thing 
as this turning out badly 
it's my hopes and dreams 
going up in smoke 
there is no way 
that all this can end sadly 
where you're concerned 
only one one of us was in love 

there is no way 
you'll have trouble forgetting 
cause there's no such thing
as heartache or mistrust
there's no such thing 
as remorse or regretting 
where you're concerned 
only one of us was in love 

there is no way 
you'll feel lonely or blue 
no tears will be shed 
for me it's true 
there is no such thing 
as a memory of us two 
cause there was never any such thing 
as me and you 

where you're concerned 
only one of us was in love

Sunday, May 15, 2022

follow me

I've come a long way 
still further to go 
sometimes there's no reason 
that I see to keep going 
when I think it's too much 
and I'm ready to quit 
I hear your voice i
n the midst of it saying: 
I'll show you the path 
I'll show you the light 
I'll be here if you need me 
I am right by your side 
you are half-way there
don't give up now 
follow me, follow me 
the path I was on 
was crooked and wrong 
each corner I turned 
wasn't where I belonged 
hell bent on destruction, 
hurting those close 
then thunder was crashing
--saw lightning flashes 
and I heard a voice 
in the midst of it 
saying: I'll show you the path 
I'll show you the light 
I'll be here if you need me 
I am right by your side 
you are half-way there 
don't give up now
follow me, follow me

blessings

when you say your evening prayers 
blessing those that you love most 
does my name cross your lips?
blessing one you once held close 

when you pray for saving grace 
blessings for less important things 
in your mind's eye can you see my face 
blessing me for a long ago spring

when you say your evening prayer 
blessing those that you love most 
does my name ever cross your lips? 
blessing one you once held close

Saturday, May 14, 2022

wind

the wind blows down from the mountains 
whipping the prairie grass 
the mesquites bend and toss 
as it sweeps across, 
wiping the sand clean
and all the thoughts 
I thought I left 
bottled and corked
in the sea 
have found there way 
on curling waves
back inside of me 

haiku

my expectations 
were always set very low 
you met every one

Heaven's gate

the ruins that I live in 
created by the pain 
where darkness never falters 
no candle illuminate 
where conviction hides in corners 
truth finally penetrates 
my dreams have now been shredded 
outside of Heaven's gate

Friday, May 13, 2022

sounds

I love the sounds of the trains at night
semi trucks that are our of sight
the gears shifting on a 5 speed car
soft voices lilting under the stars

your soft breathing next to me
when I'm awake, and just can't sleep
the dog snoring next to the bed
and reading books, already read

I love the sounds outside our door
coyotes bay and owls hoot more
gentle creatures roaming the woods
seeking shelter for their own good

good night moon and good night stars
good night loved ones wherever you are
have sweet dreams once you lay down
rocked to sleep by sounds from town
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Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

another year older

closer to another year older 
wiser?? not so much!
I'm living on fast forward 
and over extended luck 
time is slipping away 
all those things I wanted to do 
my bucket list gets longer 
my sentence not commuted 
I need to revise a long, long list 
is there time to beat the clock? 
before my life is over 
and on pearly gates I knock

Mason-Dixon

dividing, between north and south
by a belt of studded leather 
is drawn an imaginary Tangent line 
called the Mason-Dixon

close your eyes and wander 
you won't need GPS 
let your lips and hands roam free 
and discover many delights 

follicles smell of magnolias 
just like the Mississippi trees 
see the pleasure in my eyes 
green as Carolina seas 

savor all of my kisses, 
dripping Virginia maple sugar 
slide your hand down these long limbs 
as soft as Arkansas cotton 

juices flow here sweetly
that taste of Georgia Peach 
come and explore these treasures 
waiting, but within your reach

honey do

my "honey-do" list is growing
a lot to be done I know
some trim needs to painted
the weeds are out of control
my palm tree needs a trimming
the pool is giving me fits
this paper isn't long enough
and I don't have a honey to do it

the garage light is not working
I think it has burned out
the bathroom toilet is running
my shower could use some grout
what is a lonely girl to do
with all of these needs adrift
I guess I'll have to hire someone
cause I don't have a honey to do it
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Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

Thursday, May 12, 2022

matriarch

the matriarch, 
now tired and weak 
hugs me tightly 
as I turn to leave 
the bond that secured,
gone many nights 
six years hidden 
from both of our sights 
still, I remain, 
from love and respect 
the child has grown, 
that one you first met 
the common denominator 
from those past years 
still holds fast,
and will keep me near

back to the start

I was always guessing at numbers 
this puzzle I pick apart
it is all a question of science 
that I sing from deep in my heart 
tell me if you love me 
take it back to our very start 
as it all spins around in circles
bringing us back where we are 
I didn't say it would be easy 
it isn't with crimes of the heart 
there are no set rules to follow 
I didn't think it would be this hard 
as it all spins around in circles 
bringing us where we now are 
has it all faded into darkness
is it too late for a new start?

girl scout

a Persian princess,
a nurse and me 
memories buried in history 
in Southwest skies 
we float like clouds 
and we get beat up 
by a girl scout

Wednesday, May 11, 2022

eyes

eyes are the window to the soul 
and yours you tried to veil 
I could see down deep inside you 
where deeply your ghosts dwell 
but the threat didn't make me run 

you wanted to be something 
and you feigned it pretty well 
you thought that you were someone 
that hid the secrets quelled 
you are the only one who is fooled 

I didn't fall for partial truth 
or obscurity in your song 
although I danced to your music 
the demons still along
shadows you blame reside

it's like a 12-step program
it's there when you are ready 
prayers and candles won't complete
naively your not steady 
for love to show its heart

I'm not saying it doesn't hurt 
you weren't part of my game
you were honest in your verity 
though it doesn't ease this pain 
it wasn't easy loving you

a good imitation of the blues

it is not just a good imitation 
not like Jackson says at all 
I think it's the real thing 
when dreams of you recoil 
no, this isn't a good imitation 
these blues in every hue 
even when it's not raining 
I am blue here without you

a sweet dream

finally, a sweet dream comes 
of sandy beaches and warm sun 
of moonlight walks, hand in hand 
two sets of footprints
in the sand 
I wake refreshed, 
yawn, and stretch
 this time a dream, 
I don't forget

Tuesday, May 10, 2022

flight

at 5,000 feet I felt real sad 
at 15,000 I had regrets 
at 30,000 I was sorry 
that we had ever met

pick and choose

as my future turns around 
you bury all you lose 
your winter sky will come again 
moon shining on empty rooms 
these pieces of my heart I loaned
are truth as you flashback
you may try to shake them loose
to just cut you some slack

I realize I lost myself 
the day that I found you 
when you played your shell game 
with the option to pick and choose 
honesty that you once portrayed 
said "you weren't my kind of guy" 
too bad I didn't read that then
might've kept me warm some nights

act of will

a bridge to burn 
an act of will 
a future turns 
a soul to fill 
a scrap of truth
a piece of me 
a heart gets fooled 
as you step free 
only one looses
is what I see
you're losses cut
when I broke free 

silence

like a cancer spreads 
across the wires, distance grows 
placid like your heart