forward

I burned the bridges, turned the page
learned some lessons on the way
escaped from sadness and from harm
your vanity disguised as charm

when I was out, your pulled me in
never afraid to try again
not worth the pain that I went through
I did my best to get to you

there comes a point where there is none
needing to be the only one
I turned and ran a different path
eyes looked forward, never back

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

dreams

when the dreams came,
they were bent, twisted
distortion of faces
deformed representation
of what I knew; felt...
when I slept at all
which was little

grace appeared
returning sweet slumber
happy thoughts
of what is to be
welcomed...
dreams sent by angels
of you and me

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

a promise to keep

you made me a promise
this one you will keep
you say it each morning
and night before sleep
you say I am yours
forever and a day
and that you are mine
with a love that won't fade
an earnest vow
a symphony for my heart
where one circle ends
the other one starts
an endless sunset
with glorious hues
this is the love
between me and you
you say I am yours
forever and a day
and that you are mine
with a love that won't fade

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

angry skies

I crossed a line that was twisted and broken
you heard the prayers that I had spoken
walking tall my head held high
my voice was just an audible sign

many angry, how could this be?
demonstrations from oh so many
threatening clouds and angry skies
from the one with all the lies

truth wins out, you held your ground
bolstering confidence all around
there are the blind who refuse to see
what is best for you and me

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

lessons

to all the ones I tried to reach

shells washed on a desolate beach

all the lessons I couldn't teach

inner walls that lay unbreeched

circling back, they tried again

begging on knees to make amends

what they did not comprehend

once it's gone, it's a frayed end

emails, texts unanswered whys

like twinkling stars high in the sky

just another lonely guy

whispering "please" their empty tries

permanent marker; names crossed through

gone, forgotten withdrawn and blue

still I ponder with morning brew

how long it was till I met you

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

that's me

my warning label would say
execute extreme caution
Gemini's are like that
changing direction quickly
sometimes in the middle of a thought
or action
I do not apologize
it is my prerogative
swimming up stream
against the current
yep, that's me

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

everyday, I love you

we call it
an everyday I love you gift
something tangible we find
that we know the other will like
different from that everyday
I love you feeling
tucked inside our hearts
voiced continuously
throughout the day
into the evening
beneath stars, moon and sky
everyday, I love you
but sometimes, you get a bonus!

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

victim of love

you tripped me

I fell HARD
gashing my heart

blood spills 

from a cool, white soul
pooling into grout lines

those that said,
I couldn't be caught
don't know for naught

another victim of love

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

past places

last time I checked,  you were there
misery from transgressions collated
like a country song posted for all to see
wondering were they what you sang about

not me--I packed what I brought
not caring if it broke or not
I stowed it and moved on
dwelling in past places; bad for the soul

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

hope floats

you flipped a switch that rang my chimes
not just once, but every time
in a world where this thing's rare
you said I was a dream and prayer

all I looked for I couldn't find
that one true thing I wished was mine
you looked hard and dated many
I'd be rich if each were a penny

that at least, is in our past
I fell hard and you fell fast
funny how it all works out
hope does float without a doubt

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

sweet repast

it is not with sorrow, I pack it all away
tissued hope and mourning, for those long past days
no common ground to meet on--or for it to last
unsated dreams and longing without the sweet repast

it is not with anger that I can now look back
on a path not traveled and the aftermath
the music was once beautiful, to my ringing ears
a whisper of lost magic from when you were near

it is not with regret that I let it all go
the dreams still come as vignettes, with the lunar glow
no longer just a nightmare, no longer a whispered prayer
what stays in thick, dark shadows and was never really there

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

Trojan

not a rubber sheath
a virus, invading space
intruding my stuff

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

truths

I am a cheater
I thought my secret was safe
but the scale told all

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

stone

blindly you stare
my words fall on deaf ears
the city rushes past
some stopping to gawk
others, oblivious
majestic you are
but still...blind and deaf

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

a slew

all of this a constant refrain

 rolling around inside my brain
causing hurt and so much pain
I could tell you how I feel
you denying it was real

wrapped around my pain is you
telling me it's just not true
on and on I read them through
all the things you told me too
practiced on a chosen slew

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

tabs

confused thoughts, too many at once
all tabs open in my brain
resolving one, 5 replace
the locusts, busy in my ear

quiet mornings, busy afternoons
sometimes, sleeping on the couch
at peace?? what is that exactly
maybe someday I'll know

inadvertently, I look up
many tasks still incomplete
you sit smiling at me
my world settles down
but not my heart!

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

books

who would do this?
dog-eared pages
penned, underlining
torn, split binding 
watermarks (maybe tears?)

I appreciate you
how you smell
feel in my hands
expanding my mind
sometimes, reaching my soul

you are a treasure
a rainy day dream
a sunny day friend
keeping me warm at night
 
expanding my horizon

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

born

not born a princess or a queen

not born to wealth or finer things

no silver spoons or golden chalice

not born into an age old palace

born from love and given strength

to get the things that I will need

I was given a strong and hard work ethic

making all life copasetic

I wouldn't trade for jewels or gold

or fairytales like I've been told

all I have, I've worked and strived

it's served me well for my whole life

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

blessed

not just this day, that I give thanks...
for the love you give all year
the caring and giving that you bestow
supportive, nurturing always
you've got my back
no reason for a rearview mirror
any longer

yes, I give thanks every night
in my prayers
grateful for all I have
the bounties we share
as hand in hand we sleep
awakening to new gifts
we are truly blessed

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

what people think

I don't care what people think
doesn't make me cry
push me to the brink
love me, hate me I don't care
it will not cause me
to despair

keep your problems, don't dump on me
stick them deep
where I can't see
I have worries of my own
I work them out
hitting them on stone

everyone won't be your friend
if you think this
it's the wrong trend
stick to those you know are true
everyone may not
be for you

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

someone you use to know

I am someone you use to know
I was younger, but so were you
playing games, laughter and tears
a long, long while ago

time creeps in--a fact of life
some grow up, others don't
we grow tired, or just don't care
such is all, in times of strife

stalking happiness at any cost
stepping on feelings
apologize and move on
before all is once again-- lost

I am someone you use to know
you wouldn't recognize me
never asking the right questions
as I turned to go

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

LOVE

for lack of a better or more meaningful word
I will have to use the centuries old one
"LOVE"
although it doesn't match the fire,
or the depth of my feelings,
the happiness and the fullness
of my life...
since you!

Yes, that old word will have to do
until someone makes up a new one
one that can encompass
every little nuance,
every little feeling,
every little thought,
that will wrap us up
with a bow on top

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

now I know

 

 I didn't go away mad,

just stepped behind the iron curtain
from forefront to backstage
out of harms way

we talked of you
and you alone
all the while...
my heart pounded
then ceased to care

I used to be jealous of this "Grace" 
always mentioned
surely, an angel of mercy
never to be known

all the things I thought
wished for - that never came to be
a blessing in disguise
He knows what's best

now I know...
looking back on that brief memory
my future, the winning hand
an Ace high flush

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

I still have one

I still have one
regardless of what some might think
tests prove it is in the right place

It grows bigger
taking on new ones around me
increasing the beats per second

yes, I still have one
I love how it feels right now
the way you pump through me

my heart is in the right place

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

wonder

I've seen shadow rush the mountain
then beat a hasty retreat
countryside that's barren
or lush with beautiful green
saguaro filled with bird holes
or laden with many arms
eagles soaring in the clouds
relationships that harmed

I've seen things that made me wonder
miracles not figured out
myself--full of confidence
or loneliness and doubt 
casualties of marriage
death that came to quick
friends I once thought loyal
disappearing in the mist

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