test drive

gonna try it out
see just how it feels
slip behind the wheel
run it through the gears
test drive this new love

gonna study “Carfax”
view the history
check it for collisions
learn its mysteries
test drive this new love

gonna kick the tires
take it for a spin
look in the rearview mirror
to see where it has been
test drive this new love

gonna consider miles remaining
if the odometer reads true
see if it’s reliable
or needs work under the hood
test drive this new love

gonna test drive this new love

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

return to sender

I sent a heart on face book
and it was ignored
I left a call on your landline
it was not returned
I sent a text to your cell phone
no answer ever came
I tried a yahoo message
and that went unobserved
I sent my love in a letter
two day business express
the package forwarded back to me
saying that your heart had left

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

Peace

a river called Peace
that's flowing through
babbling sound, sparkling blue
ever gently over the rocks
ever careful, how you walk
immerse yourself, don't be afraid
let the Peace flow over you

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

resplendent

resplendent is the love that comes
when two hearts beat at last as one
nothing greater than the tie that binds
nothing greater shall ever you find

kindred spirits that find a path
footsteps tread a long smooth swath
souls intertwined with silver string
everlasting and revering

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

a prayer

hello there God
once again it's me
I have this little prayer
about some things I need
I offer it to You
along with my beliefs
thank you for this love
that You have given me
thank you for my friends
and keeping me from strife
thanks for all the healing
and all these small delights
keep my body strong
keep me on the path
atonement for my sins
that probably go way back
forgive for missing mass
I know I have the need
let my spirit soar
and my soul to find peace
not go to bed with anger
forgive those that have hurt me
please always let your light
reflect and shine from Thee

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

mercy

there is tenderness in mercy
sweetness in grace
hope in forgiveness
from those we forsake

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

this road

this road you travel
clearly marked
signs posted showing the way
no surprises will you encounter
no deep secrets to befuddle
spread your sleeping bag next to my fire
gaze peacefully at the moon overhead
as the angels spread stardust and you sleep
rest securely in the depths of my love

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

because

because the sky is not always blue
because the clouds can block the moon
because I can't always be with you
the deepest love still gets me through

because the dreams come without meaning
because I wasn't always believing
because my mind can leave me reeling
I still know all that I 'm feeling

because the heart eventually mends
because things hide around the bend
because a prayer ends with Amen
my love for you now knows no end

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

grow

blossom color rich
roots planted firmly and deep
love grows in my soul

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

shooting star

a shooting star
a fervent wish
a full moon
such foolishness

still I hope
still I dream
wanting all
love should bring

I feel all
the passion here
a burning fire
when you are near

I know that
my love is true
show me now
that yours is too

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

this time

you are teaching me the lyrics
to the last song I want to sing
I hear the music and romantic melody
tightly you hold me close to your chest
this is how it starts
this is how it plays
this is the only dance
this time love stays

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

sleep

sleep eluded for such a long time
I guess I was tired of what life handed down
never content, never assured
my mind raced with what my future held

now I surrender and dream sweet dreams
the sleep of angels from above
nestled in the warmth of your body
in the protection of your love

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

room to breathe

you move a few things
making room for all my stuff
room for me to breathe

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

love

the old year now fades
with this pen honed by your hands
sonnets from my heart

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

every little thing you do

it's the thought that you put into
every little thing you do
the small considerations
that only come from you
offering up your heart
a piece I know is true
it's the thought that you put into
every little thing you do

hearing what I say
after I forgot what's said
tucking me in lovingly
when I'm early off to bed
your arm lays warm across
my body as I sleep
showing all you feel
and that it's not skin deep

it's the waking up and making up
after one little silly tiff
it's knowing in my heart
it don't get no better than this
it's so many things and more
I know you know it too
baby, it's every little feeling
that I get when I'm with you

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

Paris

the jet sets down at Orly
the tarmac covered in snow
Paris in the winter
the only time to go

we practiced on our French
cafe, croissants, french kissing
liaison amoureuse
things French we're still perfecting

we tour the Louvre and Champs Elysees
Arc de Triophe and Eiffel tower
we drink in everything we can
time grows shorter by the hour

evenings were my favorite time
loving long into the night
nothing removes chill better
than when passion ignites

Paris was a while ago
but the memories remain
of you, of love, of passion
oh Paris? it never changes

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

sixteen years have 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.

canoe

casting refresher
canoe goes into the lake
a beautiful day

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

scrapbook

the lives that we touch
kissed with memories
a reminiscence scrapbook
that only I can see
snapshots in my mind
the color starting to fade
edges furled and yellowed
blurred images portrayed
an album that keeps growing
as I journey on life's path
happiness, sometimes sorrow
when my heart looks back

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

long ago

long ago I walked down an aisle
long ago I held a child
long ago I lived in dreams
long ago it all now seems

long ago I had it all
long ago threw no curve balls
long ago I walked a path
long ago I didn’t look back

long ago when I was young
long ago I climbed the rungs
long ago a safety net
long ago no future threats

long ago went by too fast
long ago I can’t get back
long ago my future clear
long ago has disappeared

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

after the glow

after the glow
at the end of desire
when all is gone
'cept ash from the fire
the wind picks up
and blows them away
gone are the dreams
of our yesterday

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

all that read

these things that you write, vague and deep
fitting no one and yet all that read
inspiration, interpretation
as you write about life and needs

you told me once not to obsess
much inspires but it's never direct
I still read, but with a broader aspect
it is about you, when I reflect

these beautiful words written on a page
drawn from your heart and God above
experiences learned and thoughtfully penned
written emotion, a labor of love

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

between love and you

I did all the 'grunt' work
thinking I didn't mind
I was sure you'd come around
all in good time
I thought that this void
would be too big to fill
I didn't count on love
or on what is His will

silence a killer
as the distance grew long
then he waltzed in
and he's singing your song
the melody is different
but the words all ring true
that is the difference
between love and you

now it all plays
like a crazy country tune
someone's got your girl
and it isn't you
each twist and turn
on the road that you travel
what you once held close
now frays and unravels

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

the search

he said I'm looking for something
don't know what it is
I know I have this vision
and I have an extensive list

she said I know it's out there
let me give you some advice
you can't find what you're looking for
the mistakes will make you wise

he said I've gotta keep searching
I've got to move on from here
I know I haven't found it
on that I'm pretty clear

she said then keep on looking
I hope you find it there
this thing that you are searching for
that you did not find here

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

sorting it out

words used as a wall
hidden meaning to us all
memories I recall
poems that hold me enthralled

as I read some again
from the start to the end
not written for a friend
but for love intended

I've finally sorted out
what we were all about
now I have no doubt
we couldn't have worked it out

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