cool breeze

I'm not asking that you burn a bridge
for greener pastures on the other side
second look, second chance
exploring valleys at the foothills

I'm not asking that you hurry on past
where you once sped, eyes straight ahead
keep the door open and the windows down
a cool breeze may be all you need

what I'm asking is that you stop and reflect
savor the moments, and ease your mind
walk with me down a very long trail
before you go so far that it's yesterday

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

wine

it's like a fine, fine bottle of wine
opened to breathe before you drink
you admire the beauty--that dark, rich color
and savor that redolent smell
your taste buds start to water
for that first sweet, sweet sip
carefully, by the crystal stem
it is raised to expectant lips

but the flavor isn't as honeyed
as we had hoped that it would be
the clarity not as perfect
for the price of the bottle paid
and what falls to the bottom
the sediment, if you will
goes there for a reason
they're the dregs poured down the drain

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

intertwined

I wake in your arms
your love intertwined with mine
as the morning dawns

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

the mirrored image

the image I portray 

reflections of a façade 

oblivious,  

by those that I meet 

hairline cracks

cavernous crevices

hard to read;

you have to

looked much deeper

to know the real me

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

nights of wonder

sleepless nights, reckless days
moving swiftly through this faze
not slowing down, shooting from the hip
black and blue cause it kicks a bit

one step forward and two steps back
praying for guidance when I'm off track
it seems no matter what I do
all paths lead me back to you

fighting the urge to buckle under
when dreams return from nights of wonder
always with the light of day
the reasoning behind why I pulled away

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

dance

arm tight around my waist
as the music starts to play
not an unfamiliar stance
again we start this dance

this time no partner cuts
the ending not abrupt
we complete the dance begun
it doesn't come undone

we finally get it right
we dance into the night
steps perfected, not new
my last dance with you

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

ruffles and bows

a valentine with ruffles and bows

a tender heart that deeply knows

about the things important to me

a deep, deep love that set me free

bringing back all love within

your eyes dance as my mind spins

all I thought I knew about this

I learn anew what you spread thick 

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

November 27

this was your day
shared by some others
born at the same time
dog tag images remain
etched in aluminum
happy and sad, synchronous
you left too quickly
no time for goodbye
as I watched our future fade
with the spirit in your eyes

twenty one years passed
a life together ended
a shadow on my heart

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

REM

many nights I couldn't sleep
lay awake from dark till dawn
plump my pillow, toss and turn
those nights are finally gone

I lay here unprotected
without sleep I didn't dream
that's when you slip in
as quickly as my REMs

how can I get any rest?
is this some kind of test?
you and sleep are linked
you haunt every dream

gonna go back to sleepless nights
drink caffeine till it gets light
if that is the only way
I can keep these dreams at bay

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

stuck

I've seen mountains peaked with snow
and on the desert floor below
Bobcats, rattlers, coyotes too
monsoon rain and skies of blue

I've seen the drought, and cactus die
felt sun blaze, seen full moons high
remained transfixed, at sunset hues
never the same, always new

I've seen the Eiffel tower in France
royal carriage's horses prance
seen men in kilts with drums and fife
experienced wealth and sometimes strife

I've seen love fade or felt its glow
I much prefer the latter though
longing for summer and its full bloom
stuck in winter's dismal gloom
Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

blue moon

once in a blue moon
it all falls into place
everything perfect
the right notes played
an exact aria
the only beat missed
that of my heart

once in a blue moon
it all falls into place

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

a little piece

it's just a little piece of memory I'm trying to relieve
way back when the path was uncluttered--the sky, cobalt blue
when the stars glowed in the sky, underneath a crescent moon
a little piece of yesterday, that little piece of you

it's just a little piece of heartbreak that I try to bury
along with golden fantasy, a dreamworld lives in memory
when all the doors were open and the dance was still brand new
it lays face down on the saloon floor waiting for a revelry

it's just a little piece of me wanting just a piece of you
to keep me as a treasure and cherish what we knew
it's a thin line that intersects, a shred of honest truth
it's just that piece of me knowing what never will be soon

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

The Ring

Last night I took the ring
And removed it from my hand
A lot of mixed emotions
In this little band

I remember when you put it on
And we said “I do”
Forever didn’t last that long
Longer for me than you

How could love just disappear
I’ll never understand
Your body here but not your soul
And that I didn’t plan

My future now uncertain
My outlook very bleak
It will take me a good while
To get back on my feet

I close the box with the ring
And hide it from my view
I don’t want it any more
It hurts to think of you

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

oasis

I could see it off in the distance
it beckons: an oasis to the parched
a haze of palm trees and flowing fountains
shade and respite, laughter and love
an offering of the sweetest wine, a promise of a lifetime

mirage--the closer I get the further off it seems
never quite able to grasp or taste
to drink my fill of you
the wind blows, the sand shifts
the oasis no longer visible
if it was ever there at all

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

the beast

you fed the beast
and nursed its growth
it's devouring your spirit,
absorbing your soul
now out of control it
obliterates the night
massive paws sweeping
the stars from your sky

unable to stop the
apocalypse that builds
a tourniquet untwisted
as the truth is revealed
too late to impede, the
demolition goes on
the beast you created
destroying your love

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