at risk

taken as someone

who once gave a damn

living each day

with all that I am

brilliant in morning

dull now by noon

whispers in shadows

that end way too soon

you taught me of love

but held me at bay

singing your song

your heart betrayed

nothing but wisdom

comes from your brain

and still I'm transfixed

by each new refrain

once more we parted

once more I swayed

knowing I wasted

so many a day

what could I do?

when truth held no reason

when trust was at risk

heartbreak now in season

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

evolved

the wind at my back, cool breeze on my face
shoes click-clack as I wander this place
living this life praying for good days
boxing up the old stuff, stowing it all away
looking for truth to a mirage of questions
breathing in the dust from past misconceptions

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

I yearn for something, hope that's undeterred
what a dream promises, when the morning sun blurs
still I have reasons--why I've held to the past
knowing deep down that it wasn't built to last
the answers to the questions 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

questions

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

sed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

gossamer

did you think I'd check on you?
after all that we've been through
what I find still makes me blue
did you think I'd check on you?

looking at all, checking the facts
since we started--way, way back
some may think I am a hack
looking at all, checking the facts

pictures, posts and tweets and such
not a little or not too much
nothing tangent, I can touch
pictures, posts and tweets and such

when I mention all my thoughts
draw a line to connect the dots
tummy tied all up ln knots
when I mention all my thoughts

just like gossamer, I see you
what you think, the things you do
you say it is misconstrued
just like gossamer, I see you

someday, it may drive a wedge
push me right up to the edge
leave me hanging from its ledge
someday, it may drive a wedge

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

hitting the road

I've left the rain this time for good
put shit away like you said I should
sun to the west, setting in the hills
hitting the road on just two wheels

wind in my hair and that feels great
enjoying my life before it's too late
you and me, that's all I need
thoughts race faster than our speed

no longer will I hesitate
drawing to this inside straight
a royal flush here in my hand
right here where I make my stand

I've left the rain this time for good
put shit away like you said I should
sun to the west, setting in the hills
hitting the road on just to wheels

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

on the coast

here's to the ones
loved and lost
piper paid
at quite a cost
wondering about
what could have been
or should they not
have been let in

thoughts creep slowly
'cross the mind
how could we
have been so blind
just one chance
to set it right
what we think of
in the night

stalking life
from outside edge
even though
it drives a wedge
I can't fight
those seeping ghosts
from my perch here
on the coast

knowing more
than I will say
save it for
another day
they're long gone
but still remain
in your third eye
the heart's refrain
Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

shell game

I know you were here for a reason
but it beats the heck out of me
as you give me a lame excuse
thinking I can't solve this mystery
your sleight of hand may be real quick
a shell game in which you believe
but you've forgotten my magical power
of seeing into hidden things

maybe we're in the same room
but we're not in the same place
we do the dance and sing the songs
as we both stare off into space
you turn left and I turn right
the moon goes behind a cloud
it's not a win, it's not a loss
as love shuffles away in the crowd

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

perfection

your love is perfection
a confection I can not live without
sweeter than anything
I have ever or will ever taste

this union flies a flag
our castle surrounded
by a treacherous moat
to keep infringement away

I will dwell in this love
forever; in the arms of bliss
kissed by angels
and blessed by God

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

one love ended

one love ended
suddenly
one sigh
one last breath
no fanfare
closing your eyes
you just slipped away

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

more

the warning shot was for your protection
the concealed carry for mine
a total waste of ammo
no discharge heard
spent casings falling to earth

not unlike
words tumbling on deaf ears
cautionary discretion
on your part
I always wanted more

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

more time

never a beggar, or one to plead
never a borrower or lender you see
but, and this is a big one please
I want more time for you and me

I need to spend the rest of my days
being with you in every way
I don't care if debts aren't paid
I'm determined--can't be swayed

here in the autumn of my years
I've put to bed those nagging fears
happiness without the tears
envied by each and every peer

stay with me, and I avow
to live in the here and in the now
and each night, when my head I bow
thanks for every second allowed

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

At Bay

This tumultuous relationship 

With it's ups and downs 

Is wearing down my spirit 

Not what I thought I'd found 

A difference of opinion 

Not feeling the same way 

Very loving sometimes 

And then I'm held at bay 

The time I have invested 

Seems like a one way street 

Getting nothing from your side 

Indifference when we meet 

So now I reconsider 

Take back the love I gave 

I think that you could care less 

There's nothing here to save

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

The Tree

the tree has been cut down 

the one we played around when we were kids

the one with our tree house 

the tree stood there for decades 

shading the lawn, the sidewalk, 

its shadow spilling into the street 

the tree was a gentle reminder 

of days gone by

of our childhood and innocence 

the tree that would shed it’s leaves 

of brown and gold and orange 

every fall 

the tree that said, 

you can go home again

although things won't look or be the same 

the tree may be gone 

my memories of you are still here 

locked in my heart, my mind, and soul 

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

Genuine Haiku

I like genuine

Leather bags, boots, belts: not fake 

And real people too! 

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

Your Last Hurrah

This is the last go around 

Your last hurrah 

Make it count 

One last chance 

To prove you have what it takes 

To win me over 

Time and time again 

You have failed 

Miserably 

Can you turn it all around?

Do you have what it takes? 

Prove it!

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

Captive Heart

Thoughts of you keep playing back 

Resounding in my brain 

Things you said and things you did 

For ever will remain 

Times we are together 

Moments of pure bliss 

Loving, tender, passionate 

Never been loved like this 

You know just how to touch me

Like no one ever could 

Whispering words I love to hear 

Intentions understood 

When you are not here with me

I still can feel you near 

Close my eyes, reliving you 

Willing you to appear 

My heart is being held captive 

A prisoner in your care 

Surrendering all I have to give 

No effort needed here 

Come unlock this captured heart 

You have the only key 

Come and work your magic 

Nirvana waits for me

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

no crying

She remembered facts. Not only the facts but the details involved, and what she was doing at the time. She had them all categorized, filed away in her memory bank, all tabs open. Not unlike the many lines from movies that she referenced from time to time in her every day life,' She was always ready, armed and dangerous. Ready to take the safety off.

She looked deep in his eyes, listening to everything said. When it was her turn to speak, she responded slowly, "There's no crying in baseball (A League Of Their Own").

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

books

like a good book, though I know every line
because I have read it so many times
I know the start, and how it will end
reading it's like, a long lost friend

the story doesn't change, though I want it to
parts make me happy and others make me blue
looking for answers, here deep in a phrase
sometimes things don't work that way

still, once started, I read it through
some parts forgotten, or once misconstrued
always new meaning I find on each page
until it is done and I put it away

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

Driving Haiku Part Deux

I get pulled over

flashing lights are a bad sign

not my mind that raced!

Travesty?

I got caught here in a travesty 

this game you’re playing is tough 

You're skilled at this charade

I know I’ve had enough 

Captured by your sweetness 

The attention that you paid 

Sucked in by flirtation 

I should have turned away

Now it's too late to leave you

I've way too much invested 

Heart and soul and body 

It’s too late to contest it

I’ll hold on till the finish 

See how it plays out 

This game isn't working

I still have my doubts 

You show no signs of cracking 

You play the game straight through 

Looking for your weakness 

None I see from you 

You say the games are over 

And love you do declare 

Can I trust your feelings?

Are you playing fair?

I want to love you fully 

With all I have to give 

As long as you are honest 

I'll hold on till the end

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

Baggage Haiku

All my baggage checked

Not even one little tote 

No hang ups with me

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

No Boundaries

Like the tide flowing over the sandy shores 

Your love engulfs me 

Touching every part 

Like a blazing fire on a cold day 

Your love ignites my passion 

In ways I never knew possible 

Like a cozy cabin in the mountains 

Your love shelters and protects 

Keeping me safe 

Like a bird that soars 

Your love sets no boundaries 

And yet there isn't anywhere I want to go 

Not without you

sleep

you knew, once gone, I would be fine
never crossing over the fine, thin line
each and every freakin' time
I am fine...I am fine

you closed your eyes, but not in sleep
happens quick; the reasons deep
up the mountain tall and steep
you closed your eyes, but not in sleep

angels take you high above
leaving all you truly loved
on the wings of snow white doves
angels take you high above

do you visit from the clouds
stirring breezes all around
did you think we let you down
do you visit from the clouds

wondering about what could have been
in this smoky liars den
trying not to commit to sin
wondering about the could have been

one child walks in celestial light
the other wonders in the night
tried to keep them in my sights
one child walks in celestial light


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

tinnitus

white noise in my ears
locust noise that I can hear
I hate tinnitus

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

someone

I moved on to greener pastures
that stretch for miles and miles
sun shines bright upon my days
nighttime makes me smile
no longer blue, no hidden hues
that creep into my soul
you may not understand this
but he has made me whole

no longer do I fit in
that little, tiny peg
more to me than meets the eye
an overflowing keg
if you had looked much deeper
if it wasn't all about you
all that I presented
was God's almighty truth

someone saw the light in me
how brightly it does shine
someone saw the love in me
and knew it wasn't a line
someone wanted everything
all that I could give
someone gives it back to me
here, where I now live

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