night

in the dark I lie, wakeful
staring at the dark ceiling
thinking nothing at all
thinking a thousand thoughts
all at the same time
the clock ticks my night away
while I wait for something
that does not come
insomnia, an ugly word
a word I detest, hate, despise
I can see the dawn coming
as it breaks through the blinds
I hear the birds, chirping their alarm
and as I roll to my side
away from the light,
I close my eyes, again
nothing, nada, zilch
another night, a new day
the same as the one before

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

Insomnia

In the darkness of the night
Again I toss and turn
A million thoughts race through my mind
Insomnia plagues my life

To sleep would be a luxury
One I live without
No rest for the wicked
I guess that is my plight

Tired of the problems
Complexities and strife
Longing just to close my eyes
For just one night of rest

So I write to sooth my conscious
Late into the night
Putting thoughts on paper
Helps relax my mind

When all my thoughts are written
Maybe then it will come
How many poems will it take?
To sleep, to dream, to rest

me and you

time flies
grief wains
eventually I learn
to love again

night ends
a new day
sun shines bright
fog dissipates

a perfect card
for a heart that's true
a new love
for me and you

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

lucky charms

I don't have a lucky number
don't have a lucky charm
don't wear any special metals
to keep me safe from harm

I don't carry a four leaf clover
I could never find one
don't say any special prayers
when the new day has begun

if I had a lucky number
that numeral would be two
three is just a crowd
if there's more than me and you

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

you are

you are the sun that rises in the mountains
the moon that glows in my night
every phase and every phrase
of poetry that I write

you are the blue sky during my day
and the million stars in my eve
you are the heart and soul of me
and everything in between

clouds may form and rain may fall
the mountain winds will blow
but your gentleness, your tenderness
a white hot ash that glows

you are the sun that rises in the mountains
the moon that glows in my night
every phase and every phrase
of love that shines on me

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

love just right

glow on moon
shine on stars
blow down wind
from mountains, far

play on song
dance with me
show your love
for all to see

kiss me long
hold me tight
give all you have
ah, love just right

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

cooking

I can't get through cooking
without an injury
I just grated my knuckle
and I'm in misery
you are smoking the brisket
the shrimp is thawing too
perhaps I need to slow down
just to make it through
I could be more careful
to get this to the table
think of what I'm doing
of course I know I'm able
at last it's time for dinner
we bow our heads for grace
no trip to urgent care needed
all are in their place

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

stocking

it's just a Christmas stocking
bright green; with fluff around
the difference is the love I feel
your pet name on the top surrounds

hung by the mantel with all of the rest
displayed for friends and family to see
adding me to your holiday list
our first together with a perfect tree

this promises to be the best Christmas yet
checking off names as complete
stores are crazy as we work
shopping together for gifts we need

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

Merry Christmas

Many are the cards I send
Each friend and relative near and far
Reaching out with a stamped wish
Remembering those that mean the most
You are on my list

Celebrating this special day
Hearth and home all decorated
Resting little, preparing much
Inside my heart, they all play a part
Season of contentment, season of beauty
To each and all that are inside me
Many wishes come your way
Answers resplendent in my mail
Season of hope and love

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

first Christmas (k)

it's my very first holiday
Christmas without you
moments of excitement
moments of feeling blue
thoughts of those together
and love that we did share
once tied with pretty ribbon
now my heart stripped bare

did you think about it?
Christmas morning, laying alone
wondering what I was doing
or the feelings dead and gone
as I unwrapped my presents
with those here close to me
thoughts are wandering once again
to things I did not see

I know I will survive
as I file it all away
substantial things you lost
taken for granted everyday
forgiveness will not come
destruction massive and deep
at least not this first Christmas
that you're not here with me

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

Christmas Day

the tree is now bare
gifts unwrapped and put away
'cept the ones inside

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

sometimes

the gift you love most
an unexpected surprise
costs nothing at all!

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

holidays

shopping for the holidays
like bumper cars on this given day
mentally checking off my list
making sure there's nothing missed

the store is crazy on this day
last minute shoppers in a craze
buying gifts for those forgot
I'm still happy that they shop

heading home, I'm running late
dinner will have to be at eight
just remembered I forgot dessert
pudding pops will have to work

when at last we bow or heads
thanking God for daily bread
there's no place that I'd rather be
than a holiday with family

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

reflection

glistening in sun
phosphorous in pale moonlight
glowing is our love

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

love

there is no measure
or depth in which I love you
only that I do

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

good vibrations

like the Beach Boy's song
in the pocket of my jeans
when you text hello

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

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