my part

you fish with Doctors and Lawyers
bike with Judges of fame
from every walk of life they are
you know them all by name
 
you hunt with every license
through water and falling leaves
silent as you aim the bow
in camo fitted sleeves

women, there were many
that tried to rule your heart
I am glad you waited
that role was my part

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

October Skies

Leaves of blood red and amber gold 

Bifarious leaves remaining on trees 

The ones on the ground we’re tossing high 

Under October, Midwest skies

The air is crisp and smells of fall 

Colder months are on their way 

The days are shorter than before 

What will winter have in store 

 

But for now we enjoy this day

Playing the way kids always do 

Not thinking about the tomorrows 

Or this time we will soon outgrow

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

my love

my love is not free... 

it will cost you your heart and soul... 

if the price is too high... 

you are unworthy... 

 I promise... 

to be all... 

give all... 

love you more... 

than you have ever... 

will ever... 

be loved again...

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

my thoughts

every once in awhile
a small piece slips through
stirring the ashes
relighting the thoughts
kindling something that wasn’t

sun shines on dew droplets
caught in a web of deceit
too many to count
too many to forget
too many memories

there and back

I can take you there and back again 

I can make you breathless 

make your head spin 

just when you think 

you've got it all straight 

I will take you there 

and back again 

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

offering

the happiness in your voice

 the twinkle in your eye

the tightness of your hug 

whenever you’re nearby 

the thoughtful things you do 

the words I hear you say 

showing how you care 

in many different ways 

the kiss that seals it all 

from a heart that’s true 

offering all I want 

giving all of you

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

Pawn

Watching very carefully 

The way you play this game 

Trying not to tip your hand 

Then you can’t be blamed 

More and more the torture 

I take it and remain 

Push me away and pull me back 

Always just the same 

Picking up some pointers 

Some very useful tips 

Storing them in memory 

Till I can come to grips 

One day when you aren’t looking 

You’ll turn and I’ll be gone

Practicing the game I learned

Finding my own pawn

i'm not asking much

this is all I need 

tenderness and devotion 

your touch and your heart 

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

Sunlight

Like a cool desert breeze 

On a hot summer day 

Wafting over me 

And offering relief

Like a gentle monsoon rain 

Healing the parched earth 

Drops of understanding

Promising rebirth 

Like the evening sky

Filled with twinkling stars 

Lighting up my night 

Diminishing the scars 

Like the day’s sunlight 

Returning to shine on me 

Surrounding me in warmth 

And all I’ll ever need 

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

windmills

we come across a windmill 

hidden in the trees 

reminiscent of Don Quixote 

and his misguided beliefs 

a star crossed lover was he 

Dulcinea was her name 

an allusion to illusion 

he chased her just the same 

in his suit of armor 

with Rocinante his trusty steed 

his faithful sidekick Sancho 

to help carry out his deeds 

not a gallant squire 

as he thought that he would be 

always chasing windmills

in search of his lost dreams 

my dreams are about to shatter 

in the shade of the giant blades 

lightning in the background 

threats of impending rain 

you tell me you are leaving 

and this will be goodbye 

that we too are star crossed 

something you can't deny 

you kiss me quick and hug me tight 

say you're sorry for the pain 

and as my tears begin to fall 

you turn your back and walk away 

 

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

End Of The Affair (not about me)

She told herself she didn’t care 

He was never really there 

It was the end of the affair 

It didn’t matter that it"s unfair 

She takes the bottle and pours a glass 

Drank the first one really fast 

She knew it wouldn't be the last 

Feeling the dead hand of the past

But the memories didn’t fade 

Not even with the alcohol aid 

She should have called a spade a spade

It would have ended anyway 

She goes to bed and closes her eyes 

But even in darkness she couldn’t hide 

The emptiness would not subside 

She's all alone with the tears she cries 

Next to the phone that doesn’t ring 

She was his puppet on a string

He’s moved on to better things 

That’s the part that really stings 

She hears the ticking of the clock 

She can not sleep her mind won’t stop 

Tomorrow she was gonna take stock 

But tonight, she’s not a rock 

The sun dons bright, her mood is grim 

She just can’t quit thinking about him

She is way out on a limb 

Getting back is looking slim 

She closes the door and clicks the lock 

Goes to the closet and gets her glock 

She looks in the mirror and it’s a shock 

Pulls the trigger at nine o' clock

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

separated

by more than desert 

by more than mountains 

by more than time zones 

by more than states 

by more than cities 

by more than plains 

by more than 2,000 miles

by more than distance 

by more than time 

by more than what is 

by more than what could be 

by more than love

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

Train Haiku

haunting and mournful

but a sound I love at night

a train whistle blows

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

the next best thing

are we all waiting for the next best thing? 

while resting on this plateau

is the hidden from sight our active imagination 

causing dreams that come at night? 

are we always looking over our shoulder? 

wondering if it passed us by 

was it at that busy intersection? 

the corner of was and will be 

where we jay-walked with indiscretion 

 why not slow down and just enjoy

keep what we have without the ploys 

learn the nuances, 

emit the true feeling

understanding all that love allows 

and cancel the subscriptions no longer needed

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

my reflection

what I see in you I see in me 

you are my reflection 

when you hurt I feel your pain 

and want to heal you 

when you soar I too fly 

happy for your joy 

your thoughts are mine on the same wave length 

sometimes no words needed 

you have changed me enriched my life 

in so many ways 

giving back things 

I lost along the way 

thanks for this 

and for so much more 

for being you, 

reflecting me 

 

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

Lost Dreams

The things I left along life’s trail 

I thought I could live without 

Broken hearts and broken dreams

 I’ve hurt some, there’s no doubt 

Leaving ego, leaving self 

Leaving some of my dreams 

Leaving bits of integrity 

That can never be redeemed 

The trail is getting longer 

Losing more along the path 

Looking back in anger 

Need to find a way back 

Stop and reassess my life 

Need to get back on track 

Preserve the little I have left 

Resurrect the things I lack

Time may be to short now 

For redemption of my soul 

To stop the hurt and hurting 

To climb out of this black hole 

Need to listen to my heart 

And do the things that are right 

Restore the days of sunshine 

And end these sleepless nights 

 A 12-step intervention 

Beg forgiveness from those I hurt

 A very slow healing process 

Will my pain also revert?

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

Chapters

Walking on a desolate beach 

Past castles made of sand 

This same beach we walked once 

Together hand in hand 

I smell the salt water from the sea 

Feel the wet, cool tide 

Solitary footsteps now 

You’re no longer at my side 

The tide it ebbs and then it flows 

Coincides with my life 

Highs and lows like pounding waves 

Happiness then strife 

The castles now have washed away 

The sand is clean and smooth 

Another chapter in my life 

A chapter without you

For You Baby

This one’s for you baby 

Even though you’re not here 

To love me when I need it 

And hold me when I’m scared 

This one’s for you baby 

You’ve been gone too long 

Something always coming up 

Singing that same old song 

This one’s for you baby 

You better come home soon 

I can’t take it much longer 

I feel like I’m marooned 

This one’s for you baby 

Maybe I should come to you

I need a break here anyway 

Are you being true? 

This one’s for you baby 

Again the same excuse 

I think it may be over 

I think you need to choose 

 

This one’s for you baby 

Writing’s on the wall 

You should have told me sooner 

Instead of all the stall!

A Friend (for you)

As you tell me your story 

Your fears and inner thoughts 

Your wounds still fresh and bleeding 

Your mind is overwrought 

I listen without judging 

I am what you need me to be 

A confidant and sounding board 

Helping with the debris 

I understand your apprehension 

The stress that you’ve been through 

That hopefully has been laid to rest 

With nothing more to do 

I am what I appear to be 

No agendas, no hidden scheme 

Trust that I am here for you 

A friend when you are in need 

Tell me all your secrets 

Don’t fear me or hold back 

Trust the connection we have built 

This foundation has no cracks

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

Morning

Unexpected pleasures 

Like a pirate’s sunken treasure 

Await 

The mountains at dawn 

As I stretch and yawn 

Grandeur 

The rising sun 

As each day’s begun 

Warmth 

Coffee to start 

Jump start my heart 

Electric 

 A nice hot shower 

Could stay there for hours 

Awaken 

Start a new day 

In the same way 

Glorious 

Now go to work 

Always that quirk 

Consistent 

Think of you on the drive 

Helps me to survive 

Wondrous 

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

Edge of Reason

On the edge of reason
A thread of hope remains
Wanting just to believe
A thin chance of the truth

Hanging on to rationale
Longing for validation
The slender thread is fraying
Not much for substantiation

When the questions are unanswered
Or the answers take to long
The edge of reason starts to wane
And hope is fading fast

The logic now exhausted
All the reckoning is lost
The thread of reason just now snapped
All suspicions wrought

Joy?

Joy is overrated 

It seems that way to me 

Couples all seem happy 

On the surface that you see 

I have been in relationships 

Not as easy as it seems 

One person doing all the work 

Going to extremes 

Next time that I fall in love 

My lover can work harder 

To win love and affection 

And appreciate my ardor

Dark Side Of The Moon

There is a dark side of the moon 

One that I have seen 

It is not all that luminous 

But hidden by moonbeams 

Falling for the obvious 

The moon, it plays some tricks 

Everything is softly lit 

And you are transfixed 

Keep your guard up 

Don’t relent or fall under the spell 

Or you’ll be in deep trouble 

I know this very well 

You need to heed this warning 

You won’t get another chance 

Stay indoors on full moon nights 

Avoid the dangerous trance 

Once you see the dark side 

Your whole life will change 

Everything previous forgotten 

Nothing will be the same

my sky burns

my sky burns 

I smell the acrid smoke 

taste the ash on my lips 

a thirst unquenched 

my skin hot from the heat 

my soul singed my heart incinerates

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

Paradoxical sleep

Random thoughts at arbitrary times
A life once shared quickly demised
Thoughts that swim in water deep
Nightmares come in paradoxical sleep

You watch me flail, in over my head
Drift in and out while I mournfully tread
Choke out the water that’s in my throat
Silently drown or try to stay afloat

You were here and now you’re gone
Ash still falling with each new dawn
A life invested extinguished fast
Promise yields to the aftermath

Strength for all so they don't see
A tower that crumbles inwardly
Internal tears that my heart cries
The perfected façade is just a guise

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