this path

a traveler on the path of life
a backpack full of smokey dreams
heavier as I choose the ones
that lead me to my destiny

choices always popping up
questions grow along my way
pondering, what do I do?
sometimes causing me delay

lessons learned from heartbreak
a student journeys forth
the road now smooth and signed
but different down each fork

changes in the weather
often drenched by rain
the sun comes out eventually
to dry me out again

this time, slowly, up I hike
to the hightest peak
on this trail, the here and now
that grants me what I seek

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

in between

what was and what is
thick dust settles undisturbed
that door remains shut

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

mile markers

you can see the mountains
smell the fresh breeze
of the wind that blows
through the mesquite
things that once stood in your way
are mile markers from another day

you trade one metropolis for another
getting closer to your dream
those back home think you're a fool
not fitting into the scheme of things

you put on your boots and cowboy hat
throw your stuff into your truck
what you leave fades into the past
what they think doesn't matter much

you just can't get West fast enough
as the mile markers fall behind
if you had stayed, your spirit would die
how could they all be so blind

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

clear the slate

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
once again will 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

flaws

you discard the highs and lows
trying to find a place to land
the old tricks don't work anymore
nor does the sleight of hand

trading snow and winter's cold
for days of desert heat
all of those you used to know
are strangers when you meet

unsettled shadows walk the streets
a shroud of misery holds
while you wait in agony
for all of it to unfold

disparaged thoughts and words fall deaf
upon the ears once loved
circling 'round the matriarch
as she takes off her gloves

don't turn your back, take all the flack
as your shoulders broaden
all that once lay hidden deep
surface through cracks as flaws

don't worry friend, this too shall end
time has a way of healing
they will see when they make their peace
that you'd hit the glass ceiling

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

weight

memories remind
shiny nickels and dimes
always present
here in my mind

they flow quick
are honey thick
ever lasting
as each day ticks

at night it seems
they come as dreams
floating gently
on moonbeams

now put away
with our yesterdays
oh how heavy
this does weigh

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

first look

I got my first good look
at what I wanted it to be
what I saw spread out
as far as I could see
you couldn't see it my way
you had a different view
this was all about me
you thought it was about you

so I started tweaking
trying to reshape it
cutting some of the corners
pulling it in a bit
that changed it completely
now the only thing I saw
it was all to your benefit
no longer about me at all

I'm going back to the beginning
back to that very first look
to what I thought was perfect
like the ending in a favorite book
it needs to be about both of us
half and half is best
we each are getting what we need
forget about all the rest

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

skating

the ice grows thin on this pond where I skate
I listen to the music of the blades as they scrape
without a jacket...my scarf blows from the breeze
night starts to settle as the moon breaks the trees

from the glow of the stars like footlights on stage
the intricate line of my perfect figure eight
one leg behind me as I Axel then spin
winded from the icy air that I'm breathing in

alone on this venture--alone on the ice
I'm not afraid, in fact it's quite nice
solitude and retrospect that comfort my mind
my soul at peace from what I leave behind

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

the end of it all

it's the end of summer, another promise gone
the days are much shorter with winter coming on
while I thought that I could wait
for your return or twist of fate
I see that fading fast
wafting in the breezes that pass
as the sun sinks low on our horizon

I see you on the busy street but you can't meet my eyes
the new one hanging on your arm was really no surprise
all the things I ever said--you know they were all true
love doesn't score a victory if only one is blue
waiting for the rain to stop while you block out my sun
I know that it was over long before it was begun
the moon is rising high on a canvas made of stars

the western wind is scattering seeds of all that used to be
wild birds are feasting on the soul of what won't keep
the tide's eternal tune plays on under a gravitational moon
waves sweep on the endless beach where I last walked with you
footsteps taunt while memories haunt and dreams all fade to black
a realization when I awake that you're not coming back
dust on tiles reveal the truth and the end of it all

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

grounded

the mountain stands, a testament
and it has seen it all
they've seen me climbing
way up high
and they have seen me fall
once again I try it
getting further than before
and way up in the cloudy sky
the coopers hawk does soar

she lands upon a craigy perch
viewing all below
she is searching for something
just what I do not know
the saguaro looks the other way
as once again I flail
I have wandered way far off
of this that was a trail

finally I am on top
and look about in wonder
of all the things that did prevail
and try to put me under
carefully, retrace my steps
as I start the trek down
my steps a little surer
as I know I am well grounded

I can't believe I did it
finally, I am free
it really took some doing
putting you away from me
did I pass or did I fail
we'll just have to see
right now I know
I did the best;
and that friend is the key

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

the center of the universe

I was never the center
of your small universe
the tiny role I played
completely unrehearsed
when the curtain fell
roses were not received
I take my final bow
and slip away unseen

maybe you will feel me
in the sweet breeze that blows
maybe I am with you
everywhere you go
maybe a line from a song
will bring the memory back
never looking deep enough
only seeing what I lacked

a present tied with ribbon
a gift of all I want
slowly it diminishes
ghosts and all of the haunts
I'm the center of a universe
where I always wanted to be
it is not your universe
that's now alright by me

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

tingle

the tingle you felt on your lips
one last small reminder
a connection that is always there
the rest that you shed blindly

always that same chemistry
the match held to my flame
igniting things in both of us
neither to place blame

I can't promise to keep it
like a desert fire it'll blaze
always a spark rekindled, not
extinguished by monsoon rain

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

monsoon

the monsoon brings rain
the desert thrives and flowers
again, so do I

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

reaching out

friends reach out their hand
grab a hold to pull you up
helping you dust off

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

Road Trip

It’s a BFF road trip
Just like Thelma and Louise
Happy ending though

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

Amigo

People come into our lives
For many different reasons
Sometimes it is something they lost
Or something I am needing
Just like in a romance
It has it’s ups and downs
It takes a little nurturing
Some happiness and frowns
Sharing morning coffee
And talking about our day
Sometimes lighthearted banter
Or problems that we face
I don’t know how it happened
That I found a friend like you
I guess I was missing something
And that’s when you came through
Thanks for being there amigo
And taking up that slack
For listening and for caring
For always watching my back

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

over the wall

over the wall and past the sentries
at their posts fast asleep
undetected in you slip
resurrecting an alien dream

defenseless is this state I'm in
things kept in check by day
seeping from an unguarded heart
you erode them slowly away

moonlight through the window
a kiss on moistened lips
hands that elicit passion
all that I have missed

stirring softly, moans escape
continuing without demands
eyes can't see behind the lids
closed tightly to hold this in

the sun arrives and I open my eyes
wonder takes its place
not a dream, you are next to me
a smile graces your sleeping face

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

fantasy

somehow caught between the lines
of fantasy and of fact
a mind that wanders aimlessly
or has seriously gone off track

these shards of recognition
from these dreams that I replay
the angles blurred and twisted
still I long for the new day

my fantasy says you wait for me
with your strong arms opened wide
a love that I can cling to
a safe place for me to hide

but dreams have a way of ending
when the sun rises in the east
and fantasy fades to memory
as the day encroaches on me

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

no avail

like a hamster on a wheel
I spin and turn to get nowhere
the end is the beginning
the beginning is the end
around and around and around I spin

I move forward...you step back
too many times I've done this dance
glad I'm not afraid of heights
from ups and downs and sleight of hand
movements I don't understand

all the balls kept in the air
expertly, you keep them there
my proverbial hamster wheel
spins and turns to no avail

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

undone

you had made up your mind
to leave it all behind
but you left some things undone
when the time came for you to run

there was nothing left in that place
that could make you want to stay
the ties that kept you there
never answered by your prayers

so you traveled to the West
to scenery that you loved best
trying to start again
rebuild and make new friends

you could never shake your past
a monkey on your back
the things you left undone
in your dreams a constant rerun

so you go back one last time
face the jurors for your crimes
the sentence you can't bear
you should have left it there

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

let's love

like a bull out of the shoot
it bucks you around
shakes you up
spins your world round
you may never get your feet
back on the ground
but yeehaw baby, let's love

as you are holding on
for all you are worth
and there's your heart
trampled in the dirt
grab on to me, hold on tight
get back on, again to ride
yeehaw baby, let's love

keep on trying
to make the odds even
keep on fighting
keep on believing
get back on
keep on tweakin it
yeehaw baby, let's love

switching to diet

around and around and around it spins
hitting the bottom not bottoming out
just when I think it's done for good
up to the top it all bubbles again

the effervescence with all of the fizz
I thought was flat, without the cap
I guess it doesn't work out that way
it tickles my nose when it's going in

the taste, so sweet as I drink it down
I feel the burn like Coke in my throat
I'm switching to Zero, that's all there is
it still tastes good without any pounds

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

yuk

wheezing, sneezing allergies
about to get the best of me
puffy eyes and they tear
I think I need some benadryl
cause the freeze didn't cure my ills

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

beginnings

I swore not ever,
never again
would I allow
just more than friends
things were thin
then you walked in
making it start
and my mind spin
a hollow sound
in a heart of tin
ruptures my love
and so we begin

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

one more time

questions burn
pages turn
still some secrets
I must learn

behind, our past
don't look back
nothing there
but smoke and ash

still, the dreams
my mind screams
waylaid answers
I get it seems

in between
crisp, fresh sheets
love starts over
for you and me

one more time
it's all fine
still I wonder
if your heart's mine

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