glory

deep blue sea meets azure, cloudless sky
as far as I can see on the horizon
Your sun warming all

tide pools teem with small ocean life
safe, for a short time, from the terror
of depths that threaten
their miniscule spot on the food chain

this place, this phenomenal space
restores my soul
I reflect on this glory, what You have
made and left
all You have given to me

It is good

lessons

resurrect, reflect 

paste it into a memory book 

look out the windshield 

not the rear-view mirror 

learn the lessons 

school's out of session 

I pass with flying colors

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

entrust

this love you bring 

your heart you entrust 

you give it to me 

thinking I am just 

I'll protect and hold

keep it safe and warm 

I'll do my best 

not to cause it harm

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

:)

an easy goodbye 

you leave me in a good place 

a smile on my lips

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

moving on

moving on as it plays out
another tear jerking country song
lyrics unwind 
and the tempo is strong
about how it starts
and then goes wrong
while one feels the pain
as the other moves on

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

love

on a lazy Sunday
with not much to do
played a couple of games
now that is all through
you put on some music
and I grab your hand
fast or slow tempo
we begin to dance

turn the lights down
while you hold me close
moving to the rhythm
of the songs we love
you start to whisper
sweet things in my ear
drowns out the lyrics but
it's what I want to hear

a lazy afternoon
is meant just for this
dancing close to you
and your amorous kiss
the music still plays
but the dancing is through
and in the dim light
I'm loving you

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

I wish

I wish you love 

without the pain 

I wish you success

with all you gain 

I wish you sunsets 

a sky of red 

I wish you the stars 

twinkling overhead 

I wish you a moon 

that you can reach 

I wish you all 

a parting gift from me

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

what is real

what is real is
you laying next to me
breathing softly
lost in your dreams

what is real is
me waking next to you
wrapped in your arms
that look in your eye

what is real is
what I won't trade
let old memories fade
I'll stay with what is real

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

breeze

it echoes in the mountains
whispers softly in a breeze
ruffling my hair a bit
but not stirring the trees
cool breath upon moist skin
my heart is now set free
the wonder of this love we share
and all you give to me

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

I still dream about you

I still dream about the ocean 

tides washing on the empty beach 

I still dream about warm summer nights 

glowing stars and the moon's light

I still dream about you 

I still dream about building castles 

crossing the border without any hassles 

walking barefoot in the sand 

strolling with you hand in hand 

I still dream about you

I still dream of your sweet kiss 

emptiness and the things I miss 

ocean breezes, wind in palm trees 

a heart that had too many needs

I still dream about you

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

every moment and thought

I tried to fight this feeling 

that burns inside of my soul 

occupying every moment 

and trying to take control 

overwhelming me at times 

constant thoughts inside my mind 

coursing, weaving its design 

if I falter, let it take over

if I succumb to every feeling 

will it take me down the endless path 

the one that needed ceaseless weeding 

or will it make me glad I followed 

light my life with endless glow 

to my heart will your love flow?

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

you are

you are the last thought of my night 

my very first in the dawn's light 

every thought that's in-between 

yet you say it's all about me 

you are wrong...it's all about us 

how is it that I was so blessed 

after all the frogs I've kissed 

love does shine now in the midst 

you are the last thought of my night 

my very first in the dawn's light

every thought that's in between 

every single thought in between

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

overload

once again I drew a line
you stepped over every time
this time thick indelible ink
so much stronger than you might think

not to wander to the past
there was none when I look back
you thought that I would hang around
hovering ever in your background

I tried to make it perfectly clear
but you heard what you wanted to hear
thinking this is all about you
another time of making me blue

you are wrong, it's all about me
finely getting the things I need
not put last or a sideline query
all those things that made me weary

you go your way, I'll go mine
and yes each passage needs to rhyme
it's not a song, more of an ode
from a mind on overload
Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

all over again

I didn't want to rush headlong 

into this love that I now feel

I wasn't gonna make mistakes 

the ones that always left me reeling 

I didn't think that I was ready 

wanted to just go slow and steady 

but baby, you put me in a serious spin 

now I'm falling and loving all over again 

( wasn't gonna play the fool 

I was gonna deal this hand 

I wasn't going to up my ante 

I would, this time, keep hold my sanity

but that wasn't part of your plan 

when I look into your eyes 

and I see there is no disguise 

you make me see all we could be

I'm giving back all you're giving me 

I didn't think that I was ready 

wanted to just go slow and steady 

but baby, you put me in a serious spin 

and I'm falling and loving 

all over again

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

intensity

the passion burns
the fire glows
a burning intensity
we both show
white hot heat
the embers blow
igniting, exciting,
every fiber we know

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

storm

I can feel the thunder
see the lightning in your eyes
as this storm is raging
riding passion in the night
like a candle burning 
strike a match the sulfur ignites
smell the heat
taste the honey
as it burns into the light

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

there is a reason

there is a reason
the sky is blue
the sun is warm
why I met you

there is a reason
for the cleansing rain
each silvery drop
erasing the pain

there is a reason
that the stars glow
lighting the way back
for the you I know

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

the plot

the plot was thick in the cloudless sky
all seemed great for a short time
wandering down the same old road
it was my fault if the truth be told

lies laced sweet with sugar cane
washing it down with lemonade
bitter was that aftertaste
I was getting nowhere fast

a test run like a cool new ride
miles sped quick, I bided my time
knowing I would have to go
you took leaving way too slow

one year fades into the next
no more calls or funny text
my life good here on the range
when I look back that time was strange

you got what you needed with a wink and smile
heaping sorrows into a neat pile
I didn't have time to slow my pace
I gave much more than I could take

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

happiness equals 20 pounds

happiness equals 20 pounds
this added weight is getting me down
once stick thin but alas, no more
putting it on was an easy chore

don't get me wrong, I'm not bitching
but for younger days, I am wishing
way back then I was much leaner
now flab is part of my demeanor

around my tummy, hips and rear
time to get my act in gear
going to boot camp, eating low carb
so I can wear a lot less garb

the older I get, the harder it seems
to shed these pounds is not a dream
working hard, making calories count
it will fall off I have no doubt

up and down the spinner goes
maybe the scale is a lie, who knows
but I'll get fit and stay that way
and still keep happiness in each day

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

negotiater

I'm a problem solver
a negotiator too
offering advice, and
what you need to do
changing the minds
of the many strong willed
most situations
require so much skill

I'm a middle child

sometimes overlooked

sitting in the corner

just reading my books

studying hard

and much I did learn

not giving the folks
much of any concern

wanting us all 

to just get along

trying not to  stay
where I don't belong
leaving my mark
wherever I go
JoJo was here
they'll already know
Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

start again

as the old year ends
as the new one will begin
time to start again

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

reflection

the afternoon is gone
drifting into night
moon shines on the water
stars glow in the sky

the only light I see
reflecting in your eyes
love that glistens there
warm and so inviting

your love flows through me
surrounds me, grounds me

all is right around me
as we lay down side by side
whispers of tomorrow
on hold for a short time

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

bubble wrap

memories in bubble wrap
carefully put away
bring them out and look at them
on a rainy day

some are happy, some are sad
I look at some and smile
wondering why I saved all this
as it is all  refiled

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

another Christmas

the mountain snow that fell last night
melting quick in morning light
the wind blows hard and is so cold
desert winters like this we know

another Christmas put away
empty boxes left at bay
another New Year rolls around
with Champagne pops and tooting sounds

what's in store for me next year
I hope all good with nothing to fear
what comes to me I know I'll handle
I may have to light a vigil candle

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

there your heart

where you find pleasure
there your treasure
where the treasure
there your heart
where the heart
there your happiness
where the happiness
there your soul

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