undisturbed

I push past the reasons 

and all expectations
no comparisons or judging, 

unexpected gyrations
you do your best 

with all that is offered
while I pack my bags 

and head for the border

call me or don't, 

script it or not
don't fill me with songs, 

that you once forgot
sing from your heart 

or don't sing at all
dance with me once 

or fill my dance card

hike up the mountains 

for a much grander view
once you get there, 

there's nothing that's new
drink from your bottle 

but it won't quench the thirst
the knowledge is power 

that bruises and hurts

you thought that you loved 

and all was so easy
but it leaves you numb 

and feeling more queasy
the one that you want 

boards a plane for the coast
and there goes your heart 

with a lot of your ghosts

the one by your side 

that hangs on your word
is silently sleeping 

and lays undisturbed
your mind wanders to things 

better left unsaid
laying in piles 

like leaves that are dead

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

never to be heard

you stood there in the shadow
watched without a word
saw where I was heading
thought my vision blurred
wondering and waiting
thought it all absurd
shifting in the darkness
never to be heard

you thought that I was making
the biggest mistake of all
shaking your head in wonder
ready to catch my fall
and just when you were thinking
that this would be the day
I spread my wings discovering
that I could fly away
Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

silent legacy

you just can't understand
you wonder what went wrong
shake your head in misery
you knew it all along
you saw it in a movie
you've seen it on the streets
hear it in the lyrics
as your blood begins to heat

so good at indefinable
so good at concealing too
so good at using shadows
yet you wonder why you're blue
you're praying in the darkness
for redemption on your knees
begging for forgiveness
from this silent legacy

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

shoot

you like to text 

and you are a hoot 

you own a Harley

and like to shoot 

you like country music 

play the guitar too 

we can ride the Harley 

when we go to shoot

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

Harley

a horse of a different color
chaps of a different kind
wrap my legs around you
as I climb on behind
Sundays on the Harley
a favorite of mine

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

moldy stuff

deep within the things that I hold
stay there forever, and sometimes mold
in contemplation, complexities lay
part of who I am on this day

way, way down where no light can shine
too much salt in an 8 hour brine
don't stir too much, a little will do
that's what I felt, when I was with you

standing on one leg, ready to tip
what did the job, was a kiss from your lips
not so much filling, as a minuscule snack
that will leave me hungry long 'fore I get back

but I digress, water under a bridge
that looks far off when I stand on the ridge
turning my back, I start the trek down
hoping all this shit will eventually drown

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

easy seas

deep in the valley

lost loves linger,

when the moon is full

and coyotes howl

echoes of trouble purge forth.

what I thought I had found,

my true soul mate,

gone and once thought forgotten.

as droplets fall on dry wash.

thunder claps

and lightning flashes

burrows it deep again

fog, like a soft blanket,

covers easy seas.

as memories recede

my bewitched mind

will rest again

with tomorrow's dawn

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

Irish lass

I'm an Irish lass, I can be fun
but hold a grudge
longer than anyone

man, do I freckle
under blazing sun
eyes of green
from a loved one

I love taters
but they don't love me
they cluster on my hips
as you can see
so does bread
I'd have to agree
this wasn't a problem
I could every foresee

I would love a castle 
where I could lay my head
when the day was long
here at my desk

all would be fine
I would write my songs
odes and lyrics
how could that go wrong?

on this now warm, St. Patty's day
I think of those
who've passed away
Grandpa Ferrell
who did purvey
my Irish roots
that're here to stay

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