standing by

waiting in the terminal
no boarding pass in hand
trying to get out of here
looking for a destination
all the lines are really long
everyone wants an attraction
they all have a ticket in hand
while I'm just standing by

free isn't what it used to be
there is always a cost
sometimes it isn't worth the price
and takes most of your time
if you want it bad enough
I believe it can be yours
it is better to have a seat confirmed
instead of standing by

finally, my name is called
I step forward to the gate
I've been bumped this whole day long
I'm tired of the pushing and shoving
as they scan my boarding pass
I enjoy the glares from others
expect delays and cancellations
when you are standing by

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

dawn

a big full moon
a coyote yowl
in the tree
a hooting owl
a warm night
and I can't sleep
counting sheep
does not help me
so I lay here
wide awake
knowing soon
the dawn will break

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

wait and see

the path I walked
whispers on you go
don't detour
or you'll never know
what awaits there
at the end
keep on going
on my friend

maybe rainbows
wait for me
a brightness like
I've never seen
biding time
and wondering
I guess I'll have
to wait and see

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

doze

the ceiling fan spins
a gentle humming sound
that should put me to sleep
but it doesn’t
again, I toss and turn
unable to sleep
insomnia plagues me
thoughts speed through my mind
no discernable answers come
soon the alarm will sound
it’s annoying beep
I will hit doze
although I haven’t
at all

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

goodnight

goodnight my love
sleep well
yours the last voice
that I hear
and I fall asleep
with a smile
I will find my way
to you in my dreams

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

dreams

and the dreams that come
are that, not reality
I hate being right

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

ballad

all around me hums
as I dance to a new song
ballads of what's true

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

too far gone

imperfections tucked into tight jeans
insecurities under the soft blouse
fragility walking in stiletto heels

knowing....
when you light the candles...
when you unbutton the silk shirt...
when you lay me down...

enraptured....
you will be too far gone to see
the mars and freckles of my make-up
the blemishes from my past

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

the whisper of sunrise

in the whisper of sunrise
the sun through the mesquite
the promise of another day
from the breeze blowing around me

in these early morning moments
when not a murmur will be
distance grows like thick, green moss
on the north side of a tree

I put it all in perspective
with coffee on the patio
filing away the pieces of us
that I once did know

don't worry about our yesterdays
no redemption to be seen
once, what kept me wondering
no longer pesters me

wrapped in warmth around me
all that I sought from you
true and everlasting
gone, is all we knew

in the whisper of the sunrise
it is His mystical way
to open up a window
the door shuts on yesterday

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

New Year

Nurture
Each
Wish

Yesterday
Ends
A New Year dawns
Resplendent

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

home

life is a long road
no one should have
to walk it alone
so take my hand
I'll help you along
help you over the
rough spots
and lead you home

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

trip and fall

always, You are there
in my waking hour and sleep
watching over my every step
when I trip and when I fall
I know that You can see it all
and if I ask, or if I don't
the answer You provide
will see me through

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

cactus flower

in the desert
in the shadows of
the mountains and
the valley verde
after the monsoon rain
a cactus flower blooms

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

Rain (choka)

Monsoons reappear
This time the rain is cleansing
It is cool and fresh
Reinventing me
Washing my spirit and soul

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

rain

dark clouds romp across the sky
crashing thunder when they bump
flirting with a chance of rain
always getting my hopes up!

heat builds with intensity
sweat pouring out of every pore
begging for monsoon relief
liquid silver--we need more

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

road block

I wonder am I heading
down a road already blocked
are the barricades up
and all those orange cones
are there danger signs
flashing red lights
is the road paved
or does it just end
no indication
if I need to turn back
so I keep on going
no signs to show me
so I keep on going
towards my dreams

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

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.

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.