game

it started as a game 

a game without the rules 

invented as we went along

that’s how it was with you 

excitement slowly building 

a stairway winding up 

maybe we climbed to quickly 

I never looked closeup 

should have left out feelings 

and kept it as a sport 

before it got to serious

and I found that I fell short 

need a different perspective 

need to get a grip 

need to rethink all of this 

stop shooting from the hip 

you weren’t the only player 

you are not to blame 

going in with eyes wide open 

culpability is the same

I think it’s time to walk away 

my purpose has been served

there’s nothing going forward 

now that the road has swerved

the memories I take with me 

bittersweet at best keeping 

feelings I keep close to me 

but aborting all the rest

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

ode to a gerbil (ss)

little gerbil in a cage 

running the wheel to work off rage 

hate being locked up

all the day 

waiting for your 

big escape 

wondering what it would be like 

to play in the heat of the sun's rays

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

nitty-gritty

when you filter out the craziness 

of people we have met 

matches not made in Heaven 

you can scoop them up with a net 

some were a waste of time 

there are those we will always regret 

when you get down to the nitty-gritty

I think we're the saneness ones yet

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

web

nothing but sorrow, nothing but ache 

nothing but memories whisper my name 

nothing but sadness, much too severe

nothing but silence is still living here 

too many bridges all that were burned 

too many lessons shelved and unlearned 

no promises ever  were there to be broken 

tender lies promised and sweetly were spoken 

I couldn't change your heart 

I couldn't from the start 

I couldn't change your mind 

I couldn't be more blind 

a tangled, twisted web 

intricately woven in red 

a love that won't flourish 

starves without nourishing

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

Thank You

I give thanks,

every single day

for all of the blessings

I have received

for the little ones far

for you that is near

for happiness received

and waylaid eased fears

Thank You, dear God

and guardian hosts

for keeping me safe

and for those I love most

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

love speaks

I took a chance,
that you would be the one
my banged up heart
beating new beats
life flows in through windows
and doors
long closed
love peeks through mirrored lenses
asking me if I feel lucky
well do I??
yes...yes I do


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

only you

only time can stop 

this dizzy spin I'm in 

hot desert winds 

blowin against my skin 

bringing it to the surface

only time can stop these thoughts 

that flow like a leaky faucet 

or the Niagara Falls,

the sea into the ocean 

only you can fix this

heart that pounds 

like the loud beat of a drum

or a hammer coming down 

echoes of what is lost 

a loud aching sound

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

planets

two worlds that collided 

a meteor shower ensued 

this is the very way I felt 

the first time I met you

all planets in alignment 

in this ecliptic plane 

the solar winds that blew

these memories that remain 

as I orbit around your moon 

the nuclear fusion is strong

there may not be enough space 

to protect me from this burn 

these two worlds that collided

I don't want to be torn apart

from this galaxy of loving 

burning deeply in my heart

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

goner

I just can't trust this feeling 

that I get when we're alone 

one look from those green eyes

I'm a goner don't you know 

you're turning away from me 

ignoring this chemistry 

this thing that we each know 

is a lot stronger than us both

I can't trust one little hug 

not even one chaste kiss 

don't get to close to me darlin'

I can't trust myself like this 

so baby, send me a message 

or you can call me on the phone 

but keep your distance sweetheart 

we can't be trusted alone

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

cowboy dreams

a cowboy has dreams
of sleeping under the stars
of deserts that bloom

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

hybernation

the way you touch me
I am awake once again
hibernation through

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

Halley's comet

like Halley's comet 

I burned quickly through your heart 

a flash in your night

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

more than a friend

the door is closed but you still make the time 

you drop lots of hints but won't speak your mind 

the ceiling fan hums as around it does spin 

we're back where we started...back where we began 

you sing a cappella and I pick up the tune 

but the moment is lost and it's over too soon 

we pick different partners and hit the dance floor 

we've minutes to play and I'm keeping the score 

I want more than friends--someone to stick around

the smile on your face gets replaced by a frown 

you'll dance in the dark but not in the light of day 

I put words in your mouth that you'll never say 

you'd walk a mile to see just how far I'll go 

never asking the questions that most want to know 

we run the long race but neither one of us wins 

we stepped over the line between lovers and friends

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

more than once

I've crept into your mind 

more than once, so it seems

too many times, infecting your dreams

conscious sun that drives me away 

breaking clouds with the dawn's rays 

you thought that you wanted me 

you think that you don't 

while you mull it over 

I'm already gone 

I drop in to see you 

again and again 

the touch of a lover 

the guise of a friend 

wanting what I offer 

but only for one night

selling your soul 

by the candle's dim light 

you thought that you needed me 

you think that you don't you 

turn over to hold me 

I'm already gone 

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

refuge

watching 

a cowboy on the ridge 

hat pulled low, he does approach 

silhouetted against the darkening sky 

shelter sought from the growing monsoon 

scaling

the cowboy spans my wall 

jumping with ease my barriers 

all within now inside out

graceful are the rider's moves

promise 

something never offered

refuge only from lightning and thunder 

taking more than what he brought

the cowboy rides out after the storm

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

love sleeps soundly

the sun shines in your smile 

your eyes the color of blue sky 

your touch warm like the rays 

you start my day 

the moon glows through blinds

 the stars blanket cool skin 

your voice the whisper of a mountain breeze 

when you say "good night baby"

love sleeps soundly in your arms

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

terrain

soft peaks...silk valleys 

a short hike only to discover 

a terrain you already know 

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

asylum

here, inside my crowded mind 

padded walls of my asylum 

I slowly part with things on a list 

I know should be left behind 

things that weigh too heavily 

things that have torn me apart 

things that I thought settled 

things that have hurt my heart 

as I close this massive book 

sealing you in a special chamber 

finally knowing what just won't be 

and walking away without anger 

loving you netted no dividends

investing more than I got back 

I didn't blame it on you, although 

part was your fault as I reflect

here, inside my crowded mind

padded walls of my asylum 

I slowly part with things on a list 

I know should be left behind

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

the answer

no answers to my questions 

or mending for what needs repair 

I gave you love and affection 

knowing you'd go from here 

visiting in the dark side 

while all around you sleeps

dancing in the moonlight 

with something you couldn't keep 

truth and my conviction 

on the other side of my door

like a heroin addiction 

that left me wanting more 

love faltered at my bedside 

faking what wasn't here 

although I was often chided 

I wasn't ever that clear 

as you waited for justification

demarcation wasn't defined

solutions not forthcoming

and clearly no fault line 

so forging ahead you leave me

it won't affect you none

the truth was never out there

you take care of number one

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

remnants

each time I stay over, one at a time 

I am leaving little things for you to find 

Chanel on your pillow, shampoo in your shower 

remnants of me after passionate hours 

early in the morning, our coffee at dawn 

outside on the patio as we stretch and yawn 

I leave for work and you will do the same 

after you look at remnants and smile my name

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

losing game

I thought that I was in control 

my mind dominated my heart 

but I can see that wasn't true 

and should have from the start 

there's nothing for a future 

there's nothing that never was

a realm of intangible aspects 

your heart's not capable of

I should have seen the truth there

it was written plain on the wall 

a path of misdirection

for a heart that was enthralled 

do what's right for you now

and I will do the same

the wounds will heal eventually 

I'm quitting this losing game

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

drive

put your pedal to the medal

honey, let's drive all night

let's see what there is out there 

before evening turns light 

keep driving into the sunset 

let's see where this road leads 

throw the map out of the window

it's something we don't need 

the full moon shining on us 

the stars can light our way 

with one headlight to guide us 

as reality falls away 

holding hands and singing 

with the songs on the radio 

this is a great adventure 

as we turn up the audio 

baby just keep on driving 

till we run out of gas 

don't know where this is leading

but I don't want to go back

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

the thunder rolls

as the lightning strikes
and the crash of thunder rolls
we begin again

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

lyric

Voltaire-esque lyric
vague allusions, fragrant truth
metaphoric thoughts

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

indomitable

Writing what I feel and think 

dissatisfaction, dilemmas, disillusion,

my soul and spirit in blog. 

It eases the pain somehow

helps me to come to terms,

thinking I am in control 

when a higher power dictates 

the past and the future. 

All that I am and will be, 

a future mapped out long ago 

a course that can not be changed

dark and light at the same time. 

Expecting the worst, 

hoping for the best. 

While my guardian angel sleeps 

the candles that were lit 

are extinguished unanswered.

A lifetime of obscurity 

that is dictated 

in day to day measures and

a future that is indomitable.

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