Facade

I built this façade 

so very tall 

no one can penetrate

through these thick walls 

I learned from my childhood 

from the forts that I built 

how to engineer 

how to protect

my skills became stronger 

no infiltration can come 

safe from all dangers 

I will not succumb 

so I stand at my post 

observant of all

nothing gets past me 

no peril will fall 

when the time finally comes 

someone special will come through 

until that time 

I will stand guard for you 

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

All There Is

On this day, most special 

Sunshine, smiles and flowers 

Things that dreams are made of 

Exchanging rings and vows 

Pledging of eternal love 

A future for us two 

Standing at the alter 

As we say “I do” 

 Always work together 

Be loving, loyal and true

End each argument with a kiss 

Give and take in all we do 

I wish us a lifetime of happiness 

I wish us a future of bliss 

I wish us a lifetime of lasting dreams 

I wish us all there is

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

a tired mind

inside my mind, where silence eludes

too many tabs open

what am I to do?

thoughts, all at once

tumbling all around

answers not coming

at least, none that I've found

late into night

but there is no change

ideas escaping

and riding the range

next to me, you slumber

but my sleep won't come

tossing and turning

on and on my thoughts drum

no rest for the wicked

well, at least not for me

quiet that escapes

even though it's free

maybe I will nap

a least I can try

a few winks of zzzzz's

for my tired mind

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

pages

as I write this pages
by dim candlelight
the ending a mystery
hidden from my sight
I jot down the secrets
that I've never told
when the day was so hot
but the wind blows too cold

many promises broken
angry words that were said
in the white heat of anger
things I won't confess
these pages of love
the ink that's still wet
from the love that I feel
given without regret

the battle I waged
that was met with defeat
I would refight that war
although no easy feat
a chapter on heaven
a chapter on hell
although the latter's
the place where I dwell

I've lost track of the pages
and where this all leads
drawing difficult conclusions
after numerous misleads

erasures, redoing 

sometimes of all lines

thesaurus was handy

and used many times

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

I can

I can be your warmth 
the light of your moon
the stardust at night
when sleep comes to you
the minutes in each hour
of every single day
a song from your heart
over and over I play

I can be the sweetness of wine
refreshment for your soul
instilling my spirit
making you again whole
the taste of ambrosia
honey on your lips
braille to a blind love
read with fingertips

I can be your searchlight 
a beacon for rough seas
bringing you homeward
keeping you safe with me
cold, wet and tired
hungry for some peace
a bandage for your heart
that will no longer bleed

Good Bye

I knew that it was coming
could feel it in my bones
Slowly you’re departing
and leaving me alone

It all went by so quickly
these moments that we shared
And looking back it seems
you were the answer to a prayer

You came when I was lonely
you helped to get me through
I think it was a pleasure
just being there with you

Thanks for what you gave me
the lessons and the time
Thanks for being what you were
when I thought that you were mine

against the wall

baby, you had me against the wall
the kisses long and deep
while all around the music surrounds
this dance that we can't keep

it fills my days and haunts my nights
whenever my dreams do come
these stolen moments that we make
memories to which we succomb

I burn it to my memory
like songs to a new disc
steps we've added with each new score
to play over and over like this

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

lessons we don't learn

I told my head a fairy tale 

to keep my heart in tact 

it kept me warm for many nights

reflections when looking back 

the images are hazy 

the faces not as clear 

the music not as sweet now 

as it slowly disappears 

that last time that we shared some wine 

using tiles we spelled it out 

the valley of the sun awaits 

where three is just a crowd 

you run to the mountains 

to let your heart roam free 

I cross the border into Mexico 

to give my soul relief 

the kiss you left is bittersweet

or that's the way it seems

when I close my eyes 

you're no longer in my dreams

you may be getting closer 

but that's not how it appears 

saguaro don't hold answers 

for all of your deepest fears

 

you can love without me 

I found  I could be brave 

while all those feelings get buried 

but it's a shallow grave 

photos fade to memory

etched inside my heart

there's no going back now

the end to all false starts

the fingers numb that light the fuse 

on lessons we don't learn 

wax drips down the side of hope 

on a candle now twice burned

I realize fire would never fit 

the perfection that you yearned

I have drifted out to sea

now that the tide has turned

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

shallow grave

the darkness and confusion lifts
I do not bring the rain, which you embrace
but the sun briefly, into a cold sky
as I make a clouded descent
into the realms of your reality
I lay fantasy aside
covering it with Irish lace
and burying it in a shallow grave
as your heart's freedom sprouts wings
and flies away into the night

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

deep blue sea

in the deep blue sea where fishes school

in seaweed thick, or shallow pools

currents play without remorse

sweeping waves on a violent course

listen to the whispers of each wave

of pirates lost to early graves

wooden ships rest on bottom sand

maybe to be discovered again

drifting above with full blown sail

coming about with much detail

on we go with steady keel

listing next to harbor seals

the sun dips gently in the west

a wonderful day that we were blessed

wet feet step in once smooth sand

I can't wait to sail again

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

I do

I waited for you through those endless nights
without a moon, by dimming starlight
even though I knew, that I had no right
I held you there in my crosshair sights

on two wheels, as you roamed about
never keeping true to your distant route
looking for something and your own bail out
as monsoons drenched the midsummer's drought

always searching, nada did we find
most of the searching, a complete waste of time
you stood with yours and I stood with mine
I would venture to say, it wasn't sublime

things finally changing, how quickly it seems
no broken heart, just realized dreams
it was just what happens, the thick scheme of things
a knot firmly tied in our silver heart strings

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

summer

piece by piece it comes apart 

like a tattered cloak that frays 

once a complicated heart 

has found a simpler way 

something that is very real 

a truth that I can touch 

this feeling that I cling to now

and grasp tight in my clutch

it's all I ever wanted  

I was just in the wrong place 

as it is revealed to me 

grace shines its loving face 

depleting once a heavy load 

now that weight has lifted 

this path I chose is the right road 

and I'm no longer drifting 

I once held the winter's son 

tightly in my grip 

I fought hard, ne'er a battle won

that was the gist of it 

it came too slow the letting go

and the soul I once laid bare 

days of snow and bitter cold 

on the trail that I blazed there 

what stayed in a winter wonderland

now blossoms green with spring

the hourglass with shifting sand 

sweet memories that it brings 

I don't regret, I won't forget 

in tissue packed away 

the letting go of all that's left 

as my summer comes to stay

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

porch swing

give me a porch and nice porch swing

put the phone on mute so it doesn't ring 

give me a summer night with someone to squeeze 

a song that plays in the cool mountain breeze 

give me a moon that is bright and full 

someone that will give my heartstrings a pull 

let's fool around and pretend like we're teens 

give me someone that makes my heart sing

most of all, give me someone that is true 

I'm looking for someone exactly like you 

all this I hold that is near and dear 

I'll give back everything you give to me

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

bullshit

life, at times, seems a big struggle
not a box of chocolates
I used to look for the pot of gold
then I realized-- all of it's bullshit

life is what you make of it
victims will always be victims
the strong will themselves on
waiting for the dawn of a new day

another day to try harder
to right the wrongs
to rely on the kindness of friends
and to thwart the enemy

with the Grace of God
I go forward untethered
looking not to the past with its ghosts
but with sunglasses for the sunny days
ahead

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

thin line

a thin crimson line between hope and faith 

drawn with forgiveness--compassion's good Grace 

spanning many miles--this strong, silver tether 

firmly but gently bonding us together 

a mystery, a drama, a love story incomplete 

crossing t's, dotting i's to keep it all neat 

we write the pages by a candle in the dark 

holding our place with a heart-shaped bookmark 

what do you think will be our final chapter? 

do you think it'll be a happily ever after? 

hopping back and forth across crimson lines 

till I 'm finally yours and you finally mine

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

tethered

you brush up against my senses 

staging a full frontal assault 

sending me reeling, too much feeling 

bouncing me off of the walls 

you tether me here with longing 

a cord braided with hope and belief 

you lasso my heart with loving 

love songs you sing just to me 

you orchestrate my memory 

with dreams where the magic befalls 

burrowing deeply under my skin 

oh the depths and wonder of it all

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

me and you

I know I can never forget
that summer night that we first met
there was only me and you
alone, in that dim, crowded room

music in the background plays
TV’s sporting different games
blocking out assorted noise
hearing only your deep voice

loving all that has come after

sounds of love mixed with our laughter
entwined in all the things we do
tethered together, me and you

incase

quietly, you are near...

incase I need hope

incase I need laughter

incase I need urging

incase I need hugs

incase I need kisses

incase I breakdown

in case......

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

Debris

I stopped loving you today
All your memories packed away
Tell my heart that feels betrayed
But in good time even that will fade

The time with you that wasn’t wasted
Bittersweet and honey laced
My mind remembers your embrace
Dreams of a future now debased

I’m much stronger than I thought
Better now, not overwrought
You never even felt distraught
Inflicted pain cost me a lot

I told you when you closed the door
That would be it forevermore
I told you what you had in store
But my pleas you did ignore

Now you’re hit with some debris
Wanting back what will not be
Remove the blinders you will see
I am doing what is best for me

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

a better day

looking back on days long spent
many of which were circumspect
deposited minutes and hours left
of overdrawn reality checks

seconds pass just way too slow
signs don't tell you where to go
confused religious taught beliefs
supposed to give you some relief

Father guide me in this quest
choose the path which is the best
litter not along the way
heading toward a better day

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

walk

walk the circle to the street
pug pulls tight the camo leash
there, the coyote alone walks by
the pug barks loud at the ostracized

there is Millie, our walking mate
waiting just outside her gate
 she sees the lone coyote too
hiding quickly from its view

first days of fall, the morning brisk
I can stand much more of this
better than the summer's heat
bouncing hot off well worn streets

and so we walk, along the path
going quick so I get back
to the coffee fresh and hot
my reward, a whole new pot!

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

once or twice

once or twice I thought I saw you
where shadows stretch across rock lawn
but it was the heat from the sun’s rays
a mirage evaporating into evening dust

once or twice I thought I heard you
drifting silently into a dream
when I looked you were not there
faceless lessons I finally learned

once or twice I thought I smelled
ambrosia left from morsels of love
it left me hungry after digested
thirst not quenched from bitter wine

once or twice I thought I felt
the softness of a lover’s hand
soothing brow but not my mind
coarseness of burlap against velvet skin

once or twice I thought I tasted
the sweetness of what could have been
imagination plays funny tricks
on the senses of what won’t be

for keeps

do I speak it softly
here by my bedside?
or shout it out loud
from the high mountainside?
have a conversation
with all the mesquite
or with folded hands,
here down on my knees

do I ask absolution
from all my past sins?
for the ones I pushed out
or wrong ones I let in
maybe a rosary
said two or three times
all that I'm asking
is for one little sign

dear God in heaven
I may have been bad
and I never noticed
the good things I had
all that I'm asking
no--begging if you please
all I have now
I just want to keep

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

Trust

Trusting you would have meant 

Surrendering convictions, defeat, yielding 

Trusting you would have meant 

Forgiveness for past discretions, absolution, mercy 

Trusting you would have meant 

A leap of faith, certainty, sincerity 

My heart says open up to trust 

My mind says walk away real fast

absolution

an oasis at the end of a very long trail 

a dip in the pool of Heaven's sweet Grace 

how did you know that this was the place?

a sanctuary for keeping your secrets all safe 

out it all pours as stardust from the dipper

flecked with gold specks, shining in lunar light 

words written carelessly in black and on white 

cause for reflection in the dead of my night 

sleep that evades me and dreams that don't come 

the sun starts to fade and evening befalls 

I try to make sense out of nothing at all 

but the piper is insisting on his margin call 

nothing will I tell, your confessions not divulge

like a Priestess to a penitent, I lock it all in 

I offer absolution for all of your sins 

lighting a candle of peace for my friend

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

chaos

in chaos I found abandonment

in abandonment, I found peace

I looked too hard for compassion

and for this pain to cease

in quite solitude--

what I looked so hard to find

was locked up in a chamber

but was there this whole time

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