reach for the stars

dream the dreams, touch the clouds
travel the road, reach for the stars
nothing can stop you, hold you back
don't give up on it now

shadows fall, evening comes
it still feels like you have just begun
happiness hasn't a place to hide
don't give up on it now

push yourself until the end
hurdle the obstacles, play to win
it is worth every sacrifice
but don't give up on it now

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
all the photos overexposed
images blur and fade in my mind
leaving nothing of you behind

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

dead of night

once again, a lonely trail
dust settles thick on this lost tale
no stars guide, no lunar light
no haven rescues in the dead of night

desert days of sun and heat
evening comes without relief
nothing wet will quench your thirst
loneliness a sordid curse

bedding down on mountain terrain
a sudden burst of monsoon rain
unrelenting, cold and cruel
but even this will not stop you

redemption, something needed quick
praying to saints, intensity thick
but backs are turned no answer comes
rising from knees left scratched and numb

starting over and over again
not letting anything fence you in
freedom comes, the cost is high
happiness there in short supply

rounding the bend, it's looking up
divinity finally fills your cup
but it has a crack and grace runs free
heaven is never a guarantee

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

host

slipping in it finds a host
taking over spirit and soul
coursing quickly through the veins
overpowering heart and brain
oh, the foolish things you do
when love gets a hold of you

you can't eat and you can't sleep
over your head, in way too deep
waiting, wondering when he'll call
maybe later, if at all
oh, the foolish things you do
when love gets a hold of you

in for a penny, in for a pound
praying to saints not to be let down
looking your best when you go out
trying to rid yourself of doubts
oh, the foolish things we do
when love gets a hold of you
Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

cowboys

I’m more New York than Nashville
I’m more classic than cowgirl chic
more rock n roll than country twang
not much for fishing by the creek
I like being in the city
not a cabin on a country mile
but I still like my cowboys
every once in awhile

I'm more Irish than Scottish
my temper a mind of its own
I do like kilts and bagpipes
though they be far from home
I like to write my poetry
and sing a bit off key
dining in fancy restaurants
sustenance that I need

I like the evening sunsets
and when the dawn breaks red
I like a fluffy pillow
when I lay down my head
I like when you notice
that I have changed my hair
but mostly when you tell me
you're lost when I'm not there

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

Kingdom

In this kingdom by the sea
I walk on sands of white
Past seas of green with curling waves
Building castles in my mind

Push the kayak from the shore
Rowing with the tide
One lone traveler on the surf
Peaceful, easy glides

Life should always be like this
Tranquil, serene, content
No ocean storms or raging waves
No turmoil or torment

Far

He stood there smiling at her back
as she walked away.

Their time was over quickly
they only had one day.

He slowly turned and headed back
to where he’d left his car

He thought the next girl that I'm with
won't live quite so far!

Expectations

A million stars are glowing
Shining down on me
Full moon lighting everything
Reflecting on the sea

We walk together on the shore
Arms around the waist
Another perfect evening
Sharing loving space

Never been so many stars
Never loved so much
Never want to leave here
Or let go of your touch

Kisses on the soft white sand
Tender, soft embrace
The wonder of your loving
The wonder of this place

We lie down next to pounding surf
Our love to be completed
Wanton expectations
Fulfilled on desolate beach

Quandary

Always have an answer
Never second guessed
My job is the easiest
Never flunked that test

You’re a different quandary
Problems not the same
Is this choice the right one?
This is a hard game

Apply the knowledge I have learned
Use applicable skills
You, my darlin’, test me
I’m not as good at this

When I have the answers
The questions will all change
More seasoned, more ambivalent
Next time when I play

The Balcony

Expanse of sea and blue, blue sky
A lone ship on the sea
Sitting on the balcony
Savoring all I see

Not a worry, not a care
This escape has been the best
No problems on this balcony
My mind at last at rest

Should stay here forever
Leave the past behind
Stay here by the ocean
Where it is sublime

Tomorrow is the long drive back
The sea and sky will wait
Go home to my busy life
Till once more I escape

the ledge

standing on the ledge
ready to jump;
free falling feels good
until the ground
breaks my fall

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

kisses

In the early hours
Darkness all around
Listen to you breathing
Quiet, peaceful sounds

Arms around me tightly
Warm breath on my face
Legs out of the covers
Quiet, peaceful place

Soft and gentle kisses
You respond in kind
Loving you is easy
Quiet, peaceful, mine

Broken Promises

Don’t know what I expected
I should have known as much
You’ve proven over and over again
You’re someone I can’t trust

Last time we were parted
I wish you’d let me be
Instead of making promises
I know I’ll never see

You always lead me down this path
I always follow at will
Desire and love both given
Neither can you fulfill

Take these broken promises
And please return my heart
Once again I’m leaving you
To make a brand new start

The Path

There is a very special place
On this crowded earth
Where the broken hearted go
To find spiritual rebirth

This special place is hard to find
And the effort will be great
But healing of your heart and soul
Shall make the pain abate

If you pray to find the path
Your journey shall begin
Although the trek is very long
You’ll go where many have been

The trail is paved with broken hearts
Lost souls and insurrection
All the lonely, just like you
All those that are affected

Seek this place and you shall see
Salvation not dismay
And find what you were missing
What was lost along life’s way

the 14th

a table for two
in my heart just one
another Valentine's day
celebrated
gifts exchanged
flowers given
most importantly,
I love you's spoken...
gestures of the same
given everyday
not just on the 14th

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

Reborn

You caught me as a falling star
When I fell to earth
Your loving and your tenderness
Has helped with my rebirth

Spirit shattered, heart broken
I was down and out
You saw just what I needed
And gave it without doubts

You made me your axis
And centered all around me
Giving to me selflessly
Without any guarantees

You let me have the time I need
To resurrect my soul
Never did you push me
Or hurry me to be whole

Now that I have been reborn
I’ve learned to love once more
You are all I’ll ever need
It’s you that I adore

in the wings

a heart that moves
in uncharted territory
paths not marked
unfamiliar terrain
high mountain peaks
and low green valleys

what I see in your eyes
does that reflect your heart?
words spoken or written
phrases captured in
lyrics and prose
defined better than what I can pen

afraid to say what is here
a cautious mind with
a heart in a hurry
I stumble blindly along
letting you lead
directing my feelings
like a stage production
while in the wings
"I love you" waits

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

I'll give you mine

your love surrounds
it makes me believe
that I can do anything
if you're here with me

I can get through the days
cause the nights are for you
you've hung each star carefully
not to outshine my moon

lay down beside me
lay down your love
and I'll give you mine

for what I have found
I say a little prayer
thanking the Lord
for putting you here

I can get through the days
cause the nights are for you
you've hung each star carefully
not to over-shadow the moon

lay down beside me
lay down your love
and I'll give you mine

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

unbound

an unbound heart
roaming wild and free
an untried love
something that won't be
an untamed soul
looking for what it needs
an unclaimed spirit
moving away from me

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

till I found you

I was looking for something
that I couldn't find
didn't know what it was
I was living blind
then I found you

I was looking for faith
I was looking for love
I was looking for answers
and a sign from above
then I found you

it shows up everywhere
in the sun and the water
in the falling leaves
and the fragrant flowers
everything you touched
revealed it to me
till once again
I finally believed
that I could have it all
when I found you

I was looking for something
that I couldn't find
didn't know what it was
I was living blind
then I found you

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

Juggle

How many balls can you juggle
He once said to me
I think on any given day
That number would be three

Three is pretty easy
To keep up in the air
To rotate smooth and quickly
Without taking much care

And I maybe might be able
To manage just one more
To not upset the balance
The number could be four

Yes, I think four is the number
That won’t upset the cart
Four is just as easy
At least I think so on my part

Time

Living without boundaries
Loving without restraint
Gliding through life challenges
Never learning to refrain

Hoping for more passion
Longing for desire
Wishing for excitement
Set my world on fire

Reflecting on the future
Trying to make a plan
Wanting just to share my life
and beat the hourglass sand

Life moves on too swiftly
Not leaving me much time
To find all I am seeking
and not get left behind

Come and be my passion
Fall under my spell
Come to me and be my love
and your own yearnings, tell

in the middle

you lit the candle at both ends
and wait there in the middle
to see which wick burns sprier
while thick wax forms its puddle

you're hoping it goes one way
it may just go the other
then you're left with just a mess
no candle to light your path

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

finding your way

you said that you weren't ready
had to go find your way
you said you're becoming a stranger
didn't recognize your own face
you looked back over your shoulder
gave me a little smile
you said it might take a minute
or it could take a good long while

I released my hand hold
like a bird, set you free
to see if you could find it
yourself and what you need
it took longer than a moment
you've been gone for quite some time
I don't know if you have found it
what you searched for that wasn't mine

I couldn't get close to your spirit
inside that shroud you bear
I couldn't fix you, couldn't save you
but I tried--laying my heart bare
in the breeze you're still soaring
looking for that place to land
and in my dreams I'm crying
over what we'll never have

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