hidden

I read you all wrong 

what is hidden stays that way 

forever it lays

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

singing a song

I keep on moving 

I keep pushing on 

I keep getting less 

from you that I'm drawn

although I am loving 

and singing a song

it's not a love song 

if you sing it alone

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

price

there is not much difference 

none that I can see 

everything's the same 

as it was last week 

you keep talking your talk 

and it all rolls so smooth

it pours out like honey 

when you've nothing to lose 

I'm just not that gal 

that you knew before

I've gained a little insight 

since you closed that door 

you know what I need 

but the price-tag's too high 

your words hit their mark 

and break me inside

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

maybe not

read or don't read 

talk or maybe not 

feel or don't feel 

memories you forgot 

write or don't write 

lay awake or fall asleep

whisper a little louder 

about the cares that creep 

want or don't want 

stay on or get off 

miss or maybe don't miss 

love me or maybe not

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

equation

staying up too late 

still losing weight 

the lights are blazing

working the equation 

no matter how I figure 

this query grows bigger 

as I refill my cup

it just doesn't add up 

what did I overlook 

in this lover's handbook 

did I jump the gun 

and end the long run 

that first urgent kiss 

that winter day of bliss 

memories that flare 

when my mind visits there 

still.....

it just doesn't add up 

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

too much

too much from me 

too little from you 

something that's not 

fades to blue 

two hearts unlinked 

one heart goes 

nothing given 

nothing shown 

hurt will heal 

over spans of time 

what once was there

no longer mine

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

love wanes

words spoken 

fantasies sought 

feelings touched

memories brought 

time slips 

heart's strain 

cutting deep 

as love wanes

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

relationship performance appraisal

a bi-annual performance appraisal 

of this relationship shows

that it is lacking in several areas

immediate improvement is required 

further review shows 

that it does demonstrate competency

is meeting standards on some scores 

but ambiguity is present 

and excitement is nonfunctional 

overall, this relationship

is bordering on unsatisfactory 

shows lack of enthusiasm on your part 

and intensive coaching is required 

feedback is expected 

with written goals and objectives 

otherwise, 

your resignation will be accepted 

sincerely, management

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

where I need to be

I can pretend, I'm at the beach

cool sea water around my feet 

sand that goes, for miles and miles 

as I whittle away the coming hours 

not a thought comes into mind 

all my worries left behind 

I'll worry when mañana comes 

cause mañana always comes

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

memory

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

I remember

there are places I remember 

where the moonlight shines on the sea 

sand goes on for miles and miles 

and my soul completely at peace 

I remember windy city streets 

cold winds blowing off the lake 

locked away on a spring afternoon 

warmed by the love we just made 

I remember a windmill 

with sails that couldn't spin 

storm clouds in the distance 

wetting to the skin 

I remember thundering monsoons 

blustery winds and lightning flashes

raging washes over flowing the streets

creating our own fire and passions

sorting through the feelings of all 

entwined for while and then just friends

memories made in different hues

it all ends the way it began

 

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

unanswered

all the words I speak

resonate in the mountains

return, unanswered

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

quick as a blink

I see it all just passing by 

quick as a blink from my green eyes 

I see the distance, stretched out it spans 

to get there I need a helping hand

leave the past on the side of the road 

footsteps sure as we lighten our load 

drifters take some and leave the rest 

moving forward is always what is best

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

not a sheep

you go along with their program

a good obedient sheep

gas and groceries soaring

your 401K bleeds

you think of going solar

to cut electricity

and while you cut expenses

their coffers line from greed

you think you can get through this

believing their regime

tighten your belt from hunger

not getting all you need

did the vaccine make you better?

did the side affects you read?

you did just what they told you

consequence runs deep

borders over flowing

fentanyl in our streets

the hangman isn't hanging

the criminals they set free

children are in crisis

and suffering from debris

the kingdom won't protect them

it's up to you and me

Patriot flags are flying

not trusting what is said

they load their arms in anger

each day filled with more dread

while lies spill from enforcers

and truth no longer spreads

they pray to God in Heaven

to keep us in His stead

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

you didn't promise

cold winds blow 

down from the snowy peaks

rain hits panes, 

the day looks bleak 

a day like today 

is good for searching souls

and finally coming to grips 

with what I know

I know you didn't promise, 

a future rosy bright 

I know you didn't promise, 

more than just one night 

I know you didn't promise, 

not to break my heart 

I know that you now know, 

I fell and fell real hard

all these realizations 

and the heartache that it brings 

it's not like I sit and dwell 

on buried, useless things

it's not like I'm not trying 

to give my heart away 

it's just feelings that come fleeting

almost every day

there, it's finally out there, 

I've written how I feel

it doesn't make it better 

or make it seem less real 

you didn't offer a promise 

but left me wanting more 

told me your heart's longing

to one you met before 

I know you didn't promise, 

a future rosy bright 

I know you didn't promise, 

more than just one night 

I know you didn't promise, 

not to break my heart 

I know that you now know, 

I fell and fell real hard

 

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

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

circumstances

I should've held it against you

how you set me up to fail

but you were the one

when it's all said and done

plan came to no avail

the circumstances were iffy

it could have gone either way

but the truth won out

with never a doubt

and I fight on another day

what was it your were expecting?

did you think the facts weren't there?

I know it wasn't how

they wanted to work it out

but the sword weighs less than a prayer!

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

free time

I'm doing just fine without you 

never had more on my plate

working ten hours, sleeplessness 

yeah, I'm really doing just great 

and if I was doing any better 

couldn't imagine it more sublime

the hardest part is figuring out 

what to do with my free time 

I've gotten real good at solitaire 

I can sing lyrics to all sad songs 

crossword puzzles leave me breathless

and I do them all day long 

I'm catching up on Gunsmoke 

every day at  straight up noon 

I'm donating clothes to the shelter 

this diet isn't one I'd choose 

I can always pick up tomorrow 

all the things left for me to do 

you don't need to worry about me 

I'm doing just fine without you

don't let it bother your conscience

about the heartache in which I dwell

while you carry on without me

yeah, I'm gonna be just swell

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

all I need

I don't have a lot
more than some others
I don't ask a lot
less than some others
but what I've got is true

I'll give it all to you
there's nothing that I can't do
if I can have you

I can live with less flair
less than some others
I have all the comforts I need
more than some others
but I have this love that's true
I'll share it all with you
there's nothing that we can't do
'cause all I need is you

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

enigma

your heart is full of wonder
at this gift on which you stumble
an enigma, depths much deeper
a spell you soon fall under

the package may be small
and you open it enthralled
you dig through the layers inside
excited by each and all

a treasure that will add light
to the darkness of your nights
a gem that will always sparkle
in the facets of your life

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

this moment in time

something I can believe in
I'm loving these new feelings
right now, this moment in time
hold on baby, hold on tight

with you I can bare my soul
loving you makes it so
right now, this moment in time
hold on baby, hold on tight

it's like driving in pouring rain
or like hiking a mountain range
right now, this moment in time
hold on baby, hold on tight

I don't know where you've been
but you awoke that feeling again
right now, this moment in time
hold on baby, hold on tight

I can't say where this will go
let's just see if it can grow
right now, this moment in time
hold on baby, hold on tight

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

genius with words

a genius with words
talent in what you compose
ways of putting it together
obscurity in lyric and prose

the followers that read
thinks this could be me
leading the reader along
addicting to written charm

some I have re-read
were different than I recalled
the meaning now more clear
not what I first thought all

I'm one of your addicted fans
in what you write I see
that once upon a time
some were about you and me

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

what's up with that

sent you a perfumed letter
came back return to sender
I'm de-fizzed like a soda gone flat
baby, what's up with that?

sent you a heart on Facebook

trying to find a new hook
ignored and turned down splat
baby, what's up with that?

sent you a smiley face
instant message, went right away
ignored like a pesky gnat
baby, what's up with that?

gonna send you one more text
don't know what I'll do next
I think you lack a welcome mat
baby, what's up with that?

all this leaves me deflated
like a movie that's over rated
like Casey, I struck out a bat
baby, what's up with that

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

magic

a life full of mystery
sometimes magic, often wonder
a magician's sleight of hand
magic spells that pull us under

you think it's figured out
thought it through in advance
as you dig inside your heart
to give it one more chance

no success at tuning it out, thoughts
won't listen to commands
I try hard to control my mind
but my heart gets out of hand

my heart like a tightened fist
holding fast to what its feels
and what I need from you
is magic so it can heal

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

out west

yes, you drive a pick-up
wear your boots and hat
your body's in the city
but not where your mind's at

you dream of open fences
a meadow for your horse
a stream behind a cabin
stone hearth to keep you warm

the day is getting nearer
when you toss your tie and run
you hear the mountains calling
out west where you belong

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

paradise

do you remember?
when we are apart
how you took my hand
then stole my heart
under the moon
by the whispering sea
that first time you said
that you loved me

do you remember?
when we are apart
how paradise feels
or have you forgot?
am I there in your day?
or just in your dreams
did you mean what you said?
that you loved me

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

atrocity

I stole the silver lining
from the clouds above
wove them ever carefully 
into a mantle for my shoulders
no longer will wishes come true

this atrocity realized
the heavens opened
crying sparkling tears
which I beaded on a
golden cord for my neck

darkness came and I pulled
the stars from the night
stitched them into a flowing skirt
with the crescent moon
as a tiara for my hair

for these sins I am damned
beauty pillaged not created
selfish, narcissistic, envious
of creation beyond my own
Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

curtain call

the curtain up
the stage is set
the paint still wet
on props
orchestra tunes
starting soon
excitement in my heart
a tragedy, a comedy
a script of drama and love
lines rehearsed
totally immersed
a "Tony" award for sure
final curtain call
still enthralled
as you play
for an audience
of two

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

asunder

as it all slips away
memories not saved
words you wouldn't say
love lost on the way

it echoes in the thunder
causing me to ponder
this spell I fell under
as love breaks asunder

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

the kind of friend

would you lay it all down

to save me, my friend? 

can you give what I need

and be happy you did?

I can say good-bye but never let you go 

you're buried too deeply inside of my soul 

can you be the kind of friend 

who always looks back? 

picks me up when I've fallen,

puts me on the right track? 

will you never look down 

and please never let me go? 

bury me there, deeply, 

inside of your soul 

we live, we learn we play another hand 

we can't see the future 

with just one glance 

we keep rolling the dice 

and leaving it to chance 

and what we lay down 

will always comes back 

we never look down 

and we never let go 

and it all comes from something 

buried deep inside of our souls

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

dance with me

put on your boots
and I'll don mine
let's go some place
where the music's fine
all the others
are forming a line
dance with me baby
one more time

let's dance real late
into another night
till the moon disappears
and it becomes light
hold me close
hold me tight
dance with me baby
one more time

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

haiku

a mind that plays tricks
on a heart that won't catch on
cataclysm results

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

resurrected

it's not like mine were the first green eyes 

that peered through the shroud of your are 

that looked deep inside, and saw through you 

pulled the scoundrel, resurrected the truth 

it's not like you didn't display the signs 

of want and need and what I provide 

you hide your heart and lay down pain 

I take it all and I remain

reminiscent of yet another heart in time 

your love torn deep, gashing open wide 

another valley, a different crescent moon 

a history of heart and grace and truth 

you revisit the love, anguish, affliction 

affirming it won't happen again 

I am you then and still I remain 

a friend till the end, a heart still pained

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

erased

memories erased 

your mind free, as is your heart 

not a trace is left

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

you rock

all my secrets and deep, deep truths 

with the wrath of God, I heap on you 

and like the trooper that you are, 

replies with insight and spiritual thoughts 

you listen quietly, talking me through 

these fallacious ideas and my blue hues

building me up, never letting me down 

leave me smiling, when I'm finally done

you complement, never criticize 

and in these matters, you are wise 

what other friend would stick around? 

you totally rock, I'm your biggest fan

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

then and now

yesterday's song, 

gone before dawn

bits and pieces of us 

scattered in the wind 

but one thing is true 

always about you 

I loved you then and now

yesterday's dance,

one more chance 

embracing fire and passion 

the music ends 

before it begins, 

still 

I loved you then I love you now

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

love doesn't live here

love doesn't live here anymore 

if it ever did before 

my heart pounds deserted doors

love doesn't live here anymore

packed its bags and moved away 

no forwarding address, nothing to say 

its been gone for a month of days 

a black and white overexposed frame 

my heart is breaking from deceit 

all is different than it believed 

need to figure a way to excrete 

as it makes its slow retreat

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

I

I am 

you aren't 

she is 

you are

I do 

you don't 

she does 

you too

I want 

you won't 

she has 

your heart

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

hope floats

hope floats 

without a sail 

away from me 

with no avail 

it returns 

as a whispered breeze 

each time you give 

your love to me

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

let go

I don't need your love 

to make me complete 

read all the books, not about me

I'm smart enough to know 

about the heart I can't hold 

and the hand that has been let go 

it wasn't out of need but my heart's want 

about whispered words and  a slow dance begun 

unfinished lyrics once left unsung 

under a moon I thought you'd hung

the moon has a way of slipping behind clouds 

cool mountain breezes, that mock me now 

stars gazed upon don't shine near as bright

memory haunts dreams, and come every night 

when the dawn bleeds in red...

I write from my thoughts

putting it down, so I won't forget

an unpainted portrait without a regret 

how long does it take to forget this love? 

to put it aside and memory thereof 

I can put it in prose, lyric and haiku 

make it come out, the way I want it to

 

it wasn't out of need but my heart's want 

about whispered words and  a slow dance begun 

unfinished lyrics once left unsung 

under a moon I thought you'd hung

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

fuse

strike the match 

light the fuse 

see it spark

from me to you

smell the sulphur 

feel the heat 

that's how it is 

with you and me

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

if love has a season

if love has a season it's springtime 

when everything blooms and grows 

gentle rain blow 'cross the plains 

and in the mountains surrounding my home 

yes, love is a springtime feeling 

I think most people would agree 

all those you see there on the street 

holding hands and whispering close 

springtime is around the corner 

I'm opening my windows and doors 

I don't want to miss one single chance 

to let in its warmth and love

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

felled

a savage crash

a lightning flash 

a thunder crack 

brings it all back

a shadow felled 

hopeless hell 

my heart locked

in a pine box 

monsoon rain

washes away 

answers vague 

most every day

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

meanings

manifest, multiply 

manipulate, metastasize 

masticate, mesmerize 

minced, minimize 

maddening 

meaningless

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

master plan

a master plan without a plot 

feelings displayed, quickly dropped 

not connected like domino dots 

forming a thick and grievous clot 

I said I do but you cannot 

inside it spoils, quickly rots 

it was always a very long shot 

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

tightrope

like a dusty book on the shelf

unread retracting words written or said 

this the tightrope on which I tread 

different dreams you have instead 

nothing ventured nothing spread 

feel my tears not yet shed 

what comes next?

the part you dread

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

hurdle

I ran the distance 

hurdled the thoughts 

the track not clear 

in this dismal fog 

breathless, fatigued

I jump over them all 

one hurdle left 

and I hit the wall

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

be gone

be gone lamented thoughts 

be gone with all your baggage 

leave this pen and paper

don't think of coming back 

let me write of love 

and happy fantasies 

I'm sick of feeling like this 

I'm tired of this elegy 

be gone lamented thoughts 

and don't think of coming back 

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

no consequences

turn your back, stroll away

seeing you go, 

completely unscathed 

conscience clean, 

heart in check 

no consequence 

from this brief trek 

objects are closer 

than they appear 

written on the right side mirror 

my love, my heart, 

indifferently scoffed

stand under the falls, 

and it all rolls off 

what was the wonder 

that you saw on this stage?

this drama macabre 

with shadows of rage

crestfallen and 

sidelined, they 

observe all

ambiguous tastes

that pitch me in hell

in the dark of night 

when feelings swell 

how long I stay?

it's hard to foretell

I just barely, crawled away

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