evolve

with the wind at my back, a cool breeze on my face
toe to heel, shoes click-clack as I walk about this place
I'm living this life and praying for better days
boxing up the old stuff and stowing it all away
looking for the answers to the same old questions
breathing in the dust from previous misconceptions

narrow is the road, that is paved with truth
wide is the trail that leads me to you
I listen to that voice, here deep inside of me
whispering of sweetness but it doesn't set me free
the sand holds footprints, swept clean by each new tide
and the moon that glows reflects where it resides

I yearn for something, hope that's undeterred
what a dream promises, each morning the sun blurs
still I have my reasons--why I've held on to the past
knowing deep down that it wasn't built to last
the answers to the questions, all stay unresolved
there is no gestation, when love does not evolve

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

onward

you take me as I am
I take it as it comes
when it all starts caving in
and I start to self-combust

looking over my shoulder
your wind at my back
forward, on this trail
keeping me on track

grace and goodness flow
divine intervention wanes
over and over and over
it all ends up the same

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

strength

from the day we are born
You look down and smile
we must really screw up
for You to disown
bless me Father
for I have sinned
give me strength
to begin again

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

surrender

in my mind,
there will never be anything
as sweet as surrender
rendering...
all we have inside
to another
our storms and sun

in my heart,
I know you did what you thought
was best, no retreat
sweets...
leaving all that I have
for another
to love and cherish

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

close

what I hold close is all of this...
the songs you sing to me
barely audible whispers in my ear
hands that touch the places they know
fingertips that trace a familiar path
excitement rendered anew

what I hold close is all of this...
the places we've been
the trails yet to forge
together we go hand in hand
footsteps in sync
love warms our way

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

love

your kiss excites
your hands ignite
my poetry recites
the fire you light

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

Taurus

I get a call and baby's out fishing
ADT says there's something fishy
I told the girl that I'm on my way
this is not what I needed to end my day

no windows broken, no doors unlocked
I creep in, take the Taurus from the box
I check the whole house by myself
all looks good, just like it was left

I answer the door, it is the cops
I said I'm armed and I'm not in shock
I'm putting it down cause I see his car
he's just there to protect me from harm

I check every closet, ever single nook
I'm making sure that there is no crooks
ready to shoot, loaded for bear
hollow points loaded to protect my lair

all is good, there isn't any perp
I pour some wine after I take another look
climb in the spa, it's been a long day
I'm not going to put the Taurus away!!!

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

one more

I write my truth from a one-sided view
it is just about me and a little of you
this page it glares in flowing script
as I come to terms and get a grip

vigilantes sing lyrics written to my heart
ballads of love, unrealized starts
put to music and strummed with pain
of nothing lost and nothing gained

when I bring it forth with prose and rhyme
five hundred days of another time
I'll give him the lyrics for yet one more
of windows closed and shutting doors

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

little things

small things bring pleasure
it is that you think of me
smiling at your thoughts

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

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.