remembering this

when you look at the mountains
when you feel the cool breeze
when you hear the wind whisper
through the mesquite trees
when you smell the rain
from the desert monsoon
when you see the stars
and the crescent moon
will you think of me
remembering back
a bookmark in a chapter
a page torn from your past

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

monsoon

days hurry toward the future
minutes and hours ticking away
trying to hurdle the barriers
that keep obstructing my way
daylight is getting longer
I work more than I play
the desert is getting hotter
I need some cooling rain

I'm ready for the storm clouds
for the lightning flash
followed by the thunder
that rattles with its crash
I'm ready for the liquid silver
of each torrential drop
I love that nitrogen smell
I want the monsoon to start

tomorrow is not here yet
and it's already yesterday
life is just too short
there is always the piper to pay
I want to live in each moment
smell the fragrance of each day
and I am inviting you
to play out in my rain

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

all I feel inside

my vocabulary is extensive
but there are not enough words
to tell you how I'm feeling
that you haven't already heard

I could try to paint a picture
but there aren't enough hues
to wash the canvas with color
or paint the colors of you

the wonders of this love I feel
just can't be described
so I guess I'll have to show you
all the things I feel inside

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

nothing looks better

I put the magazine down
gave the guide a look
read another chapter
in a very long book
the days are long
and nights are worse
a dreamless sleep
my insomniac curse

drank a pot of coffee
all here by myself
wiped down all the counters
cleaned off a few shelves
then I went to work
put in a very long day
there's just is no fun
when you've gone away

finally got my hair cut
had lunch with some friends
it fills up the hours
but the time never ends
I then did some shopping
tried on stuff in blue
but nothing does look better
better on me than you

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

the current

how swift the current
useless to fight the great waves
in over my heart

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

every now and then

every now and then you
drift across my mind
thoughts of a different time
fantasy left behind

every now and then I
remember that first glance
when we took a chance
smiling as we danced

every now and then you
drift across my mind
do you think of me in kind
and memories that remind

history

when the snow falls high outside your door
and the wind blows cold from a North sky
let your mind drift to a distant shore
let my love keep you warm

in your place with cup in hand
the aroma strong, your favorite blend
let your mind wander back to a memory
of a time and place in our history

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

music from the 70's

music from the 70's
groups that have been revived
songs that played in another time
bringing back part of our young lives

my hair was so much longer
bell bottoms, low on my hips
listening to them on the radio
when all of that was "in"

I've got a lighter ready
to show appreciation
as we reminisce once more
to their life's dedication

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

wonderland

blanketed with fresh fallen snow
white, crystallized in a full moon's glow
doe eyes view--the only beholder
paw prints left from the intruder

underneath in frozen wonder
grass lays green, an icy tundra
waiting for the warm breath of spring
a thawing trend to set it free

wandering through this wonderland
silence plays without its band
laying down moving hands and feet
a snow angel the marking that I leave

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

winter returns

lantana poke their flowery heads
out of winter flower beds
thinking it was safe to bloom
meet their death from icy doom



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

thin air

the picture painted in my mind
a portrait of sympathetic lines
drawn from a black and white photograph
a still life and its aftermath
listening to reason all the while
a play list that always made me smile
what shines brightly with the sun
runs and hides when the evening comes

as the strangers stop and stare
at a masterpiece that isn't there
memories locked inside a vault
the stones can't hit from the catapult
saying nothing deafeningly loud
feeding loaves and fishes to the crowd
we mourn here what is left alone
once all of the hope has up and flown

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

gather strength

lift up your head
make light the load
gather strength from those you hold close
construct every tower, every wall
built from reoccurring dreams
life is what we chose to make
yesterday's reality

in a flash, it all reigns down
thundering, as it hits the ground
run for cover--it may seem
neverending vanity
change your ways, repent you fool
rusted like a left out tool

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

Freedom

you came back from the vietnam war
different from how you were before
thunder brought nightmares from
all that you saw
through the jungles
your way you did claw

buddies that passed
and wouldn't come home
always a soldier, but
never alone
not ever the same
that boy that was sent
all that lays dead
like the bullets
there spent

my husband, my lover
the father of two
a flag now that's draped
and well covers you
thanks for your service
and all that you did
so freedom will reign
long after you're dead

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

time well spent

the clouds all lift
and I find my place
in the sun that glints
on halo's that grace
it's time well spent
and I want more
mercy answers
with an open door

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

Veterans

all of those that served
thank you for keeping us free
heroes, all of you

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

it all fits

candles lit
wax drips
I am firmly
in your grips

underneath
Egyptian sheets
passion grows
as our love heats

in my heart
you're the part
I knew it well
right from the start

it all fits
well matched wits
loving all
I taste of this

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

ghosts

when I ran on empty
you filled my life
working around
what lays behind
days of heartbreak
an eye that was blind
you touch my heart
and ease my mind

months of cold
and listless days
starting over
all of that erased
once again, I pledge my love
letting all the ghosts abate
if I think about it much
will it be the same debate?

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

sunset

there is a reason
the sun sets in the West
going down, the day is done
and as we relax and unwind
it sizzles softly into the ocean

mountains majestic
green and tall
the mighty saguaro
arms outstretched

the moon rises high
to a coyote howl
and a million stars
watch us sleep

the sun, jealous, in the East
rises early and tries to compete
although the dawn is a beautiful red
the splendor of the sunset wins

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

leaves

leaves...red, orange and brown
barren limbs from where they hung
winter coming fast

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

your every move

there's a master plan
we just can't see
maybe, hidden by mountains
or shady mesquite
sometimes we can't see the light
but we can feel the heat
open your mind
before you retreat

when forgiveness feels
like a foreign place
where serenity
doesn't show its grace
when you search for peace
but it escapes
and the remaining dregs
shake what's left of faith

you read the books
attend the groups
it doesn't soak in
or help to soothe
the shadow shrinks
but is never removed
the shroud still covers
your every move

there's a master plan
we just can't see
maybe, hidden by mountains
or shady mesquite
sometimes we can't see the light
but we can feel the heat
open your mind
before you retreat

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

not a cowgirl

you've got me listening to country
some of these lyrics ring true
 my foot may be tapping in time
but I don't wear cowgirl boots

I don't own a cowgirl hat
I know you have a few
all of mine are caps with brims
and some sport logos too (not John Deere)

I don't drive a pick-up truck
imports are what suit me
I do like driving a stick shift
but not wearing Wrangler jeans

I don't live in Nashville
I do live in the West
I do love to shoot a gun
a cowgirl at heart I guess

now, you've got me singing along
to these catchy rhythmic tunes
I think I could even write a few
send me some more would you?

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

my drift

if I left my heart in San Francisco
but I'm in Luckenbach, Texas
if Chicago is my kind of town
but I need to please come to Boston
if by the time I get to Phoenix
I'm on a corner in Winslow, Arizona
if I am having a Rocky Mountain high
but I am kissing L.A. goodbye
if I shuffle off to Buffalo
can I catch the last train to Clarksville
if all of my ex's live in Texas
that's why I'm wasted in Margaritaville
if everything spins--like the quarter that flips
or much quicker than a New York minute
if you get the gist of these tunes that were hits
then you catch my drift and where all this was going

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

leather

they're a perfect fit
and okay, I will admit
I look hot in chaps

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

scent of rain haiku

the nitrogen smell
that comes before the rain falls
a scent that I love

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

Desert Rain

A southwest sky
Blue and clear
Wishing for storm clouds
To reappear

The desert monsoon
That gives us life
Deafening thunder and
Lightning strikes

A month of rain
Cool and clean
Replenishing all
Making the desert green

The washes fill
And overflow
Hazardous driving
We’ve come to know

I love the monsoons
And the month of rain
It doesn’t last long
In this terrain

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