The Valley

The Valley was not always green, like the name implied. During the hot summer months, in-between the months of monsoon, my soul would dry and crack. Not unlike the deep desert washes that surrounded the small village. (Start of a book?) mjb

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

through my eyes

it’s not about just what makes sense
lyrics formed in proper tense
minced then spliced,  poured into verse
this life that we are rehearsing

it’s not about who reads or not
your money’s worth is what you’ve got
what did you expect for free?
it’s not about what you believe

it’s not about haiku or rhyme
I’m still editing all the time
wondering if I’ve any left
your comments say I am adept

it’s not about the  days of storms
or the cold nights I couldn’t get warm
it’s all about what I believe
through my eyes—the way I see it

our dim past

I can rehang and rearrange
add my pictures to all of yours
make your house a home for two
that's what I am trying to do

some old photos just don’t fit
or memory behind the photographer’s lens
what was the thought that put them there
hidden now behind heaven’s stair

in cold storage goes the rest
some of yours and some of mine
even if I could delete
erasing would be quite a fete

encumbered, feelings hanging low
like monsoon clouds in desert sky
overthinking as I speed fast
broken hearts from our dim past

if I fall

if I fall, will you go with me? 

holding my hand so I'm not afraid 

like the jerking reaction before I sleep 

if I fall, will you go with me? 

if I offer my heart, will you take it?

treasure and keep it safe from harm

locking it tightly inside of yours 

if I offer my heart, will you take it?

 

if I fall, will you go with me? 

holding my hand so I'm not afraid 

I shouldn't have to fall alone

if I fall, will you go with me? 

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

for Mary

without a whimper 

she closes her eyes 

slipping away peacefully 

into the night 

leaving a spot of darkness 

behind in the night 

a new star will blind 

we can look and find her there

ever present in our prayers 

rest, dear one, rest

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

in the end

it all just depends 

which end of the stick you hold 

both lose in the end

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

before I sleep

I lay in the dark in this sweet place 

hear the train whistle, 

long and mournful 

taking some where they don't want to go

taking others to those they miss 

I hear the dog laying next to me 

snoring peacefully, dreaming a dream 

maybe she's chasing a rabbit 

or digging a bone 

maybe something else; 

only she knows 

I feel your heart beating 

against my back 

feel your breath, 

warm and even

 before I sleep in this sweet place 

I place a kiss on your sleeping face

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

I've got...

a license to drive and for concealed carry
one for the dog and the day we married
a passport to take me near or far
to travel by plane or boat or car

a permit to hunt when the season is right
early in morning or late twilight
a diploma for time I spent at school
and one from college, I'm no fool

most of these used day to day
some to keep the wolves at bay
in every state, I guess I'm legal
and they make me feel quite regal

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

dusk and dawn

mistletoe choking the mesquite
rambling, aimless through dense trees
jackrabbits, taller than my knees
dust and pollen make me sneeze

layers of clothes to keep me warm
bees are buzzing in a swarm
weather clear, no chance of storms
lets head this way you inform

scouting for javalina tracks
I think they're way behind our backs
avoiding all the desert cracks
adjusting straps on my backpack

for one week we hit the trails
morning, evening without fail
sometimes slowly like a snail
kicking up the coveys of quail

but that season's come and gone
we see deer and baby fawn
knowing soon we'll sing their song
you and I, at dusk and dawn

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

royal flush

I eliminate the manipulators
the ones who hold nothing for me
people with empty promises
a wink of an eye
with holds barred
vows of injustice 

while playing the hand
held close to the chest
without good intention
a strong poker face
not knowing...
my cards were better
as I lay down a
Royal Flush

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

we are

etched deep in my heart

 is everything that we are

indelible love

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

there on time

the view is different 

depending where you sit 

on the passenger side

or behind the wheel 

no longer content 

or enjoying the view

I'm switching seats 

and I'm gonna steer 

I couldn't be sure 

of the roads we traveled 

it all looked close

in the rear view mirror 

we'll get there quicker 

I know the right way 

I don't need a map 

for where we're heading

 

so buckle up baby

and enjoy the ride 

no side seat driving

or bitchin' allowed

enjoy the music or

you can sing along

baby, I'll get us there 

right on time 

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

wrapped in warmth

night is almost over 

I watch the sun rise 

painting its way 

across the desert sky 

watching with my coffee 

and thinking of you 

wondering if you're watching 

and thinking of me too 

these nights I spend 

here all by myself

thinking about some things

that now lay shelved

nothing that has to do 

with parts of us at all

mostly thinking about 

how you broke my fall

the wind starts to blow

with its sweet breath 

last nights rain 

goes back where it is kept 

those all around me 

are still fast asleep

I'm wrapped in this warmth 

that you've given me 

night is almost over 

and I watch the sun rise 

painting its way 

across the desert sky 

watching with my coffee 

and thinking of you 

wondering if you're watching 

and thinking of me too

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

windows

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

never after this

my poetry was simple
mostly rhyming, wordy
it held meaning for me
my release
from sadness and my quest

I knew you couldn't save me
you were drowning yourself
I held high hopes
always dashed
He knew the reason

life holds many surprises
my future behind door three
this kind of love
never before
never after this

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

you...

You....fill every nook and cranny...

all the tiny spaces, expanses...

spots that I didn't know were empty...

overflow....


love...fills my life...

bubbling inside, oozing from my pores,...

spilling like sweet wine from my

lips...

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

math

moves; calculated
math was never your forte'
and so you blew it

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

yep!

the camo outside
hides lacy interior
that's rght, I'm all girl

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

meant to be

not one moment, did I doubt
I knew you were out there somewhere
there were those who told me
who I should love
tried to convince me
I wasn't buying it

one day, you were there
my heart said
"this is the one"
so secure were you
in all that you are
searching, also

so--we write a new story
one of brilliance and sun
of past days of rain and gloom
love failed us then
for a good reason
because we are meant to be

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

flawed

I know I am flawed
only a liar thinks they are not
but...
in your eyes,
I am beautiful,
perfection
it is love
that portrays me
this way

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

it sucks!

cortisone in my knee
and in my shoulder too
my joints all creak and moan
my jaw hurts when I chew
I thought that I was special
took good care with my health
it doesn't make a difference
if you're poor or you have wealth

when I was so much younger
I used to jump and run
played outside for hours
always so much fun
but now it really sucks
to hear my Doctor say
you just can't do those things
you did in younger days

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

the end of the game

Why ask the sage? 

Why pray to the heavens? 

Why seek the answers? 

You are just not saying 

Nothing is worse 

Than not believing 

Where is the faith? 

Without the deceiving 

The moon cycle changes 

The stars are the same 

The night sky is dark 

At the end of the game

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

is that too much?

I've quit you before, 

tried to stay away 

something draws me back 

like a fly to web 

I just get stuck 

and I can't stay away

ready for more hurt

ready for the pain

can you give me a hug, 

is that too much? 

can you kiss me long, 

is that pushing it? 

can you look at me 

like I'm all you want? 

hey there baby, 

can you loan me some love? 

I remember way back, 

how it all started out

I thought we were on 

the road to true love

didn't see the warnings, 

couldn't read the signs 

I thought I was yours 

and that you were mine 

somehow it just 

got twisted and bent 

soon there was nothing 

for you to relent 

you turned left 

and I went straight 

what we missed 

is a crying shame 

I've quit you before, 

tried to stay away 

something draws me back 

like a fly to web 

I just get stuck 

and I can't stay away

ready for more hurt

ready for the pain

can you give me a hug, 

is that too much? 

can you kiss me long, 

is that pushing it? 

can you look at me like 

I'm all you want? 

hey there baby, 

can you loan me some love? 

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

parking

let's go parking in the desert
you know that you want to
open up the moon-roof
and neck like a couple of fools

a million stars overhead
a full moon lights the sky
it's just a little cramped
that's why these seats slide

let's pretend that we are teens
I leave a mark on your neck
you'll need to wear high collars
oh but what the heck

let's pop in a cd
and listen to some tunes
while you are kissing on me
I'll be kissing on you

we'll have to keep one eye open
to watch out for cop cars
they shouldn't be looking for parkers
but rousting drunks in bars

ouch, my leg is hurting
it hit the steering wheel
your back is almost breaking
but honey, you make me squeal

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

paper rain

paper rain a confetti parade
falling around, littering the ground
you think you see clearly
in the eye of this storm
the things that you can't see
and one of them is me

thunder crashes, not shaking your calm
deafening your ears, so you can't hear
the sound of your voice
this storm that rages on
the things that you can't hear
and one of them is me

a lightning flash that starts your fire
burning your soul, spirit sprayed with holes
ash settles to your feet
you will never admit defeat
as you leave old ties behind
one of them is me

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