all along

in the light of this new day
where dreams of yesterday
fade softly away
past is the doubt
the hapless thoughts
sealed with tape
the oblong  box

hidden deep are the old scars
packed inside a chambered heart
no room for all of those old things
never were they what they seemed
learning from the same mistakes
waiting longer
growing stronger
bandaged by your love

why would I ever want to look back?
when I was not on the right track
with one headlight I drove away
Jakob’s words in my mind played
over and over I played your song
and still I knew it all along

Pandora's Box

you opened your eyes 

but closed your mind 

oblivious to dreams

I kept inside 

you saw the package 

but not the treasure 

all of those late nights 

we were together 

you spent the passion 

but saved your heart 

keeping those two things 

far, far apart 

nothing ever ventured,

 nothing ever gained 

so good at keeping

it all self-contained 

you pulled the ribbon 

on Pandora's box 

you twisted the key 

in a rusty lock 

you wound the toy 

just a little too tight 

leaving in haste 

before the dawn's light 

I thought I had it 

under control 

I could play the game 

and you'd never know 

you were much smarter 

than I had first thought 

you saw the ruse 

right from the start 

gently, you tried 

to let me down 

distancing me 

with silent sounds 

what you couldn't see--

failed to understand

 I knew your game 

but couldn't outrun your plan 

you pulled the ribbon 

on Pandora's box

you twisted the key 

in a rusty lock 

you wound the toy 

just a little too tight 

leaving in haste 

before the dawn's light 

I could see your future 

but not play a part 

you weren't really honest;

that wasn't our start

I knew there was another, 

but not the connection 

you had already promised 

your love and affection 

so as we go forward 

with an uneasy truce 

bury what's dead 

between me and you

no tourniquet will stop 

my bleed you'll agree

you didn't promise 

to be what I need

you asked me once

if the wound was still deep 

you can figure that out 

in this song if you read 

what starts with white lies, 

ends sadly with truth

it ebbs and then flows 

with each phase of the moon 

you pulled the ribbon 

on Pandora's box 

you twisted the key 

in a rusty lock 

you wound the toy 

just a little too tight 

leaving in haste 

before the dawn's light 

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

child

I didn't ask for a pedestal
that's too far to fall
I didn't ask to move mountains
or for anything at all
from the day that you were born
right up to this new hour
I've always done my best
so, you'd know you were loved

I know that I'm not perfect
though you wanted me to be
I know I've made mistakes
and that's all you can see
what a parent does for a child
those things I did for you
I did them from my heart
you know that this is true

I know I didn't deserve
all the hurtful things you said
maybe look inside
at the good things there instead
the special bond we have
the umbilical never cut
it will never wear out
or could ever be used up

I didn't ask for a pedestal
that's too far to fall
I didn't ask to move mountains
or for anything at all
from the day that you were born
right up to this new hour
I've never put conditions
on any part of my love

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

phases

the moon moves through its phases

nonchalant and slow 

each one pulls upon me 

like the tide washing on my shore 

when I think the cleanse has come

from the salty brine 

the crescent comes 

and shines its face 

with the memories that remind

laying on the sandy beach 

starring at the stars 

wondering how I landed here 

my heart on a sandbar

the bottle that I corked and threw 

into this vast green sea 

drifts out for just a little while 

then always returns to me

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

walk away

I walk away from yesterday
turn my back on all that's gray
the guitar that strums increasing pain
standing in the pouring rain
what seems priceless has a cost
what I have gained, what I have lost

against the tide I'm about to go under
the current strong I fight lost wonder
dolphins swimming all around
consuming tides don't save me now
I float but I just can't swim free
from all the pain encompassing me

I felt the breeze and heard the thunder
the lightning flash so close I shudder
everything that I once held true
all begins and ends with you
like sand drips through the hour glass
what will stay strong and what won't last

the moon drifts quickly through all of its phases
shining on all of the unseen places
resurrecting dreams that grew
unforeseen from what I knew
sandcastles hidden in the fog
reminiscent of what went wrong

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

devil's disciple

in the final analysis 

where the sun meets the horizon 

behind the mountains looming 

and saguaro with their wisdom 

the breeze kicks up the dust 

making an eerie funnel

and the roaring in your ears 

sounds like you're in a tunnel 

you didn't keep a list 

with columns for right or wrong 

you didn't weigh the options 

or think about it too long

another devil's disciple 

with a backpack on the ground

grabbing hold of both straps  

you drag it all around 

you didn't apologize 

for the person you became

to those you left behind

all pawns in a bigger game 

with hope in your left hand 

and freedom in your right 

you're rushing towards your future 

on the darkest of all nights 

I gave you all I could

it never counted for much 

words I offered to encourage

that didn't become your crutch 

the hanging judge bangs his gavel 

and sends you out this day 

with a candle for forgiveness

but no match to light your way

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

original sin

we danced for just a while 

you bared all in your soul 

telling me the plans you made 

before you had to go

little of me did you learn 

as all of your dreams spilled forth 

I tried hard to hold on 

but the road had many forks 

secrets of a mysterious life 

you kept them to yourself 

guarding the little white lies 

boxed high upon the shelf 

mornings after many nights

I woke to find you gone 

I knew your distant devil 

was draggin' you along 

you pack in the original sin 

with your list for all you yearn 

hold me tight just one last time

on my forehead your lips burn

you swore you were heading for happiness

and for wanting you had no shame 

I loved you when you left me 

and I will never be the same 

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