atrium of my heart

the prayers I said while on the beach
the closest place to Heaven for me
You are so close, I feel you there
Your grace is shining everywhere

I look for truths, talk out loud
shedding openly of this shroud
plead redemption to impart
this shattered atrium of my heart

answers come from my request
not what I wanted, but for the best
what I find is what I seek
and this truth will set me free

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

thirteen years

thirteen years since we said I do

following the vows that we promised to

love, honor, respect are just a few

as we travel a path, while adding more rules

this happy day, as years pass by

and my oh my, how the time flies

maybe, not always, is there blue skies

but, giving all we've got to loving ties

building on yesterdays, starting each day anew

giving each balance, will see us through

the best saved for last, for me and you

since thirteen years, when we said I do  

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

renaissance man

comfortable in jeans and boots
leather and helmet
waders and cap 
suit and tie

handsome in all 

a man of many talents
master of them all
well read, cultured
connoisseur of music and cigars 

soft spoken, soft touch 

a true renaissance man
in every since of the word
a man's man
every woman's dream

my wish come true 

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

visions that loom

a few stolen moments

with memories made

not spanning much longer

before quickly abating

not everlasting

not more than a year

not more than mirages

that quickly disappear

the visions that loom

every night in a dream

what rises to the top

like the thickest of creams

as we ran parallel

on two different lines

what you keep as yours

as I discard mine

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

effervescence

all of these things that I chase around
that bumps and rattles inside of my heart
noises and voices, illusions of choice
soft-coated songs with a velvet alibi

these things that take root here deep inside
weeds that suffocate the blossoms nearby
fragrant petals falling down one by one
runners choking each with a little white lie

if I can block out the buzz of what is 
that effervescence with all of its fizz
it tickles inside as I drink it down
gritty remainders on my crystal glass

as the moon works its phases through each of my nights
as a new star glows brightly on my evening sky
what once rose high with the sun to my east
has now settled softly somewhere in the west

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

green-eyed monsters

I can’t see around the corners
or what in darkness prevails
but I hear the thuds and bumps at night
and the swoosh from the monster’s tail
I smell the stench of aggressions
that putrid, awful  perfume
it permeates my weaknesses
my senses reel in this room

my eyes can’t see before me
this gloom is way too thick
if I could find some matches
I’d light the candle’s wick
green-eyed is its make-up
and while it lays in wait
no activity for weeks and weeks
as it hones its cheating game

trusting is the flag I wave
virtuous and white
blinding in the daytime
fluorescent in the night
a love that doesn’t grow on trees
or on a prickly vine
am I growing like moss upon you?
or wasting precious time

one last shot to get it right
once more I offer a chance
watching, waiting on I go
doing this sweet, sweet dance
I’ll slay the monsters, one by one
I’ll be the only one left
I’ll stand here just as long I can
drying the tears I’ve wept

clairvoyant

in the smooth sand down by the sea 

you never declared your love for me 

you tell me there's an easy way 

then you try to illustrate...

after, tellin me I'm not part of your plan 

sayin "I'm not the man you think I am"

I never issued an ultimatum 

didn't quote the rules verbatim 

never told you I would not wait 

never turned my back in haste 

tellin me I'm not part of your plan 

sayin "I'm not the man you think I am" 

how would you know with just one look?

you opened the cover, didn't read the book 

I gave you lots of latitude 

while you were givin me attitude 

you told me I'm not part of your plan 

said "I'm not the man you think I am" 

but you were wrong, couldn't read the cards 

the reasons why I fought so hard 

I fell in love still anyway 

but all of that is yesterday 

tellin me I'm not part of your plan 

sayin "I'm not the man you think I am"

I never issued an ultimatum 

didn't quote the rules verbatim 

never told you I would not wait 

never turned my back in haste 

tellin me I'm not part of your plan 

sayin "I'm not the man you think I am"

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

stories

the stories told inside my head
to hold my love intact
roaming inside these fantasies
a starless sky shines back

it slips between my fingers
guardian angel silently sleeps
pieces of love erode away
leaving my heart to weep

words can't frame this room I'm in
the photos overexposed
images blur inside my head
leaving nothing when you go

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

snow angel haiku

perfect snow angel
in the white and pristine snow
beauty while it lasts

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

it will all work out

I believe stars keep shining, but are sometimes hidden by clouds
I believe there's someone for everyone, just keep searching the crowds
I believe that somehow we'll find the right path
I believe it gets easier, if I quit looking back

I believe that love and passion can walk side by side
I believe that someday it will all be justified
I believe that loving is something to be shared
I believe that someday, I'll look and you're there

I believe there's an answer waiting at the end of a prayer
I believe in angels that float high in the air
I believe that you and I somehow lost our way.
I believe that someway, it will all work out ok

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

if you believe

if you believe in miracles
dreams that can come true
if you believe in Heaven
I'm waiting here for you

if you believe in wonder
spring that brings monsoons
if you believe angels protect and watch
I'm waiting here for you

if you believe in love songs
dancing a long, slow waltz
if you believe what is in my heart
I'm waiting here for you

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

New Year

Nurture

Each

Wish

 

Yesterday

Ends

A New Year dawns

Resplendent

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

the year of the horse

on the horizon, a New Year will dawn

2025 will soon be gone

2026 is the year of the horse

predictions are good says my google source

so much was gained in the year that now fades

the nation rebuilding from all that was frayed

so many countries, now enjoy peace

so many wars that have finally ceased

no resolutions will I make just to break

the same old me and all of my aches

but overall, I won't change a thing

when the New Year at midnight will ring

I will not make promises, I know I can't keep

I'll try not to injure with words that hurt deep

I'll try to repair all that you undermined

but that one may take a lot more to align

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

New Years Eve

no fancy dress bought

for New Year's Eve

we're staying in

just you and me 

steaks on the grill

and a bottle of wine

I think that sounds

like a very good time

A fire burns bright

warming the room

we're starting to yawn

it's way too soon

in bed before midnight

it doesn't matter much

as we settle for sleep

our hands tightly clutched 

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

New Year

a New Year at midnight

and what's to behold

in with a new one

and out with the old

let the problems of the last

be buried under silt

with all of the anguish

and all of the guilt

may the new one be shiny

with promise and love

with all of God's grace

and His light from above

may angels watch over

and bless us each one

from the coldness at dusk

and the new warmth at dawn

let the problems abait

let us all have some fun

making new memories

as each day's begun

trapped for our keeping

in a golden web spun

and lastly, four years

with an awesome home run

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

nothing

nothing left to say
nothing left to do
cards were on the table
separating me and you
I can't say the parting
was even done as friends
the bitterness was rising
saying it's the end

you turned your back like always
ready once more to depart
I knew that it was final
no more brand new starts
but I also knew that finally
I would be ok
maybe not tomorrow
but eventually one day

months and years have faded
with memories of what was
all the scars have healed up
probably just because
I said please don't you contact
or this will never repair
the wounds that cut me deeply
are hidden deep in here

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

carried away

like a feather that floats on a gentle breeze
or birds singing songs in the green mesquite
like a cloud drifting by on a clear, blue day
this feeling I have is carrying me away

like the nighttime sky with all its stars
the big, full moon that glows from afar
like the heart that pounds from the words you say
this feeling I have is carrying me away

carried away by that look in your eyes
didn't take too long to realize
for all to see, like a painted Monet
this love for you carries me away

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

2026

another year is put to rest
365 that I was blessed
loves one near and babies far
two days travel in a car

you and I alone this night
snow capped mountains in our sights
moon shines bright on this last eve
fire and wine for you and me

tree is down and packed away
nothing to do on this cold day
watch the ball drop in the square
2026 is in the air

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

reflection

the afternoon is gone
drifting into night
moon shines on the water
stars glow in the sky
the only light I see
reflecting in your eyes
love that glistens there
warm and so inviting

your love flows through me
surrounds me, grounds me

all is right around me
as we lay down side by side
whispers of tomorrow
on hold for a short time

loving in this moment

as stronger the bond grows

through me and around me

a loving inside glow

your love flows through me
surrounds me, grounds me

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

you and me

in the smell of the pine mixed

with fireplace smoke

hot chocolate kisses

and angels of snow

the warm winter sun

that gave us its glow

the laughter of lovers

as we play as we go

the day winds down quickly

to moon and starlight

the fire rekindled

on this cold, cold night

candles are lit and

now they beam bright

all nestled and warm 

but my hair--what a sight

we do not gather with 

family or friends

its just us two 

and we're staying in

maybe next year

we'll see how that bends

I'm fine with just you

for as long as this wends

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