tunnels

way down deep
in the tunnels of my soul
hide the thoughts and feelings
that I have never shown

like a vortex in the ocean
with no ending it begins
circling always circling
as my mind continues to spin

as the hands sweep on a clock
I try to brush them all aside
they keep swimming to the surface
washed in with the high tide

the wall with cracks and fissures
that weakens as I dream
returning when I wake
pebble ripples in a stream

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

revealed

lock the door
leave it all outside
embrace the gift
here that we find

I find the truth
in what I feel
an open heart
your love revealed

lock the door
leave it all outside
embrace the gift
here that we find

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

hero

not looking for a caped crusader
a giant letter on his chest
nor a masked avenger
who's always put to test

I just don't need saving
I can protect me self
it's my heart that needs a hero
to take it from the shelf

no, it doesn't take a hero
who puts his life at stake
you've already won my heart
not much effort did it take

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

not an angel

I'm not an angel by any means
don't float on clouds or live on dreams
I've broken hearts, I've loved and lost
I've paid the piper all it cost

I'm not a drifter on this road
don't carry pain or a heavy load
I learn the lessons, leave the rest
study hard to ace life's tests

I'm not perfect, or pretend to be
don't look to ascend using those near me
I think with my heart, help when I can
a constant penitent, a trusted friend

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

light

hopes and dreams
that burn too fast
not a feeling
meant to last
if I chose
the wrong thing to do
I ask You just what
should I do

show me--can You
shine Your light
send an angel
to be my guide
I ask You
what should I do
shine Your light
shine Your light

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

Just Tell Me

Didn’t know if I could trust you
Your words seemed so sincere
They seemed to come to easily
And were what I needed to hear

Afraid again of heartbreak
Afraid to trust my mind
Afraid of going forward
Afraid of what's behind

You are just too good at this
How many times before
Have you said these very words
Before you slammed the door

Are you trifling with my heart?
Do you mean the things you say?
Do I expect to much of you?
Will you turn and walk away?

Just tell me if I’m a game to you
Just tell me if it’s not real
Just tell me if I’m the one you want
Just tell me how you feel

Just tell me

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

Summit

I’ve finally reached the summit
The climb was long and steep
The view up here is worth it
Miles and miles that I can see

Closer to the angels
Closer to the face of god
Everything in perspective
Let down my black façade

The clouds so close I can almost touch
I am just a tiny speck
On this majestic mountain
After this long, long trek

The solitude here is thunderous
My mind is sharp and clear
The echo of my footsteps
No one close to hear

Soon I’ll need to go back down
It will take me hours
The isolation is deafening
I begin to feel empowered

My thoughts have been collected
My soul has been restored
Back down to my reality
This peak was my reward

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

clock

the tomorrow's pass to quickly
today becomes the past
all the time that drifts away
never to gain it back

I need to slow this freight train down
and savor all that's there
taste the honey's nectar
exploring all that's here

how do we stop the time that floats?
as it loudly ticks away
keeping this precious time we've got
before it's yesterday

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

We Fence (My First Post)

we fence
forward and back, coyly with words
laughing and flirting

we fence
evenly matched, strong wit, strong hearts
no masks, epees glinting, no protection

and just when I think I am gaining ground,
you wound me
quickly and with no mercy

Wounded with silence
wounded with withdrawal
swiftly, you pierced my heart

fire and ice

I'm the sun and the rain
I'm fire and ice
green eyes flash
when I'm angry
a strong wind raging
but it doesn't ever last long

I'm here when you wake
I'm there in your dreams
no escaping the wonder
lightning flash and then thunder
as your soul burns for more

I'm the stars in the sky
and the moon in your night
the last thing that you see
as you drift off to sleep
an apparition of all of
that can be

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

it's not me

it was in front of your eyes
but your eyes were closed
what I tried to hide
all these feelings inside
I know you know
I know you feel
I know you love
I know it's not me

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

rain

rain hitting skylights
late at night
open the window
breathe in the smell
a soothing sound
that lulls me to sleep
heaven's way of washing
everything clean

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

inconvenience

I was never the reason
to this scene I was late
and yes, my name will probably come up
but you better clear the slate
it's been coming for sometime
only a fool couldn't see
it will hurt for a little while
but you can't blame this on me

the dust you thought was settled
is once again about to stir
as you step from the shadows
they will use your every word
it's gonna be a long monsoon
with plenty of thunder and lightning
the likes of which you've never seen
the depths of it may be frightening

all the balls up in the air
quickly, they will unwind
conversations from long ago
will creep into your mind
it's not like I didn't tell you
or not like you didn't know
that freedom has a very high price
as you take it blow by blow

a minor inconvenience
on the road of past deceptions
this trail you started on your own
with bruises and misconceptions
so cowboy up and place the truth
right where it needs to be
it has everything to do with you
and nothing to do with me
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
and 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

I took my stand

I spelled it out, but you didn't see
left you hints you failed to read
I took my stuff, left your key
doing what was best for me

loaded my stuff, drove away
'neath the sky all dark and grey
my feelings raw, emotions splayed
one captive bird--no longer prey

the further I drove, the lighter it seems
getting warm from the sun beams
away from you and all your schemes
nothing shattered not even dreams

to the house with beach and sand
through the door and you are banned
long about coming, nothing planned
finally time I took my stand

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

hold on cowboy

Friday night and I'm out with my friends
you saunter up, when the music begins
you ask for a dance and before it is through
that's when your hands start two steppin too

hold on there cowboy we just met
move your hands higher if you wanna dance
I don't even know if I like you like that
move your hands higher if you wanna dance

once again we begin...an appropriate stance
music still playin, we give it another chance
that's when your fingers start doing the electric slide
and people on the floor are givin us the eye

hold on there cowboy, we just met
move your hands higher if you wanna dance
if you wanna keep them fingers..I'll give em one more chance
move your hands higher...keep them above my belt

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

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