burma shave

I read every sign

they were stretched out for miles 

couldn't piece them together 

took me a good while 

each one was a warning 

to watch out for the knave 

too late I found the answer 

to this Burma Shave

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

your shirt

you hand me your shirt, the palest of yellow
said this is the one that I wore when we met
you button each one leavin' two at the top
sayin darlin, you sure make that shirt look real hot

and I don't remember the color of your shirt
all I remember is the total outlook
the careless appeal with that twinkle in your eyes
I knew I was a goner that very first night

stilettos click clack on the cool, dark tile
we snuggle up close for a movie and wine
long before the credits begin to role
we're lost in the moment of being so close

one by one, each button gets undone
we're back where we started...when I first put it on
nothing but white noise from the plasma tv
the shirt looks good on the floor where it lays

and I don't remember the color of your shirt
all I remember is the total outlook
the careless appeal with that twinkle in your eyes
I knew I was goner that very first night

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

ante

too late to ante 

it's time to fold

your bluff is good 

with the cards you hold

five-card draw, 

winner take all 

I pay a price 

but after I call

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

things

things I can live without... 

appendix 

tonsils 

gallbladder 

one kidney 

spleen 

you

 

so far 

I still have all of these 

God willing...

I will keep them 

you...

have already been surgically removed

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

ridge line

from the ridge line, a mountain breeze 

among saguaro and mesquite trees 

a lone rider spurs his horse 

and from a distance lassos my heart 

not riding off into the sunset 

he has a thirst he needs to wet 

in the valley the oasis waits 

drink your fill, drink your fill

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

end of day

eyes that travel sweet terrain 

shining soft with ecstasy 

exploring peaks and valleys soft

languishing before you 

hidden cave, scent of musk 

end of day, moon breaks dusk

the traveler reaches passion's summit 

slumbering after

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

you gave me this and more

you gave me a song on a rainy day 

you gave me lyrics and melody 

you gave me music and a catchy tune

to keep in a safe place 

you gave me sun on a cloudy day

it wraps me in warmth and security

it shines inside my heart and soul 

making me smile inside and out 

you gave me the stars and glowing moon 

to light my way when it is dark 

you gave me a map of what's to be

so I can find you wherever you are

 

gave me this and more

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

two steppin

our first long neck,  boots tapping in time
to the steel guitar and music that's prime
gonna dance all night, tomorrow's a day of rest
even if it wasn't we'd watch the dawn crest

when we're two-steppin nothing gets in the way
worked hard this morning so tonight we can play
hanging with friends at this country western dive
you paid for the first-- the only one you'll buy

this wood floor is dusty and some guys are playing pool
a fight will break out cause they don't use rules
baby, when we're dancing nobody else is in this room
we've started the evening and it's over much too soon

Buddy buys a round and takes Susie out to dance
he asked me for one but you told him "not a chance"
with your arm around me we're headin to the floor
the sun will be high when we leave that's for sure

when we're two-steppin nothing gets in the way
worked hard this morning so tonight we can play
hanging with friends at this country western dive
you paid for the first-- the only one you'll buy

the only one you'll buy


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

little inside big

as small as I am 

I fit inside your arm's expanse 

you encompass me

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

life

the small things in life 

so much bigger than great things

more numerous too 

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

fantasy

if it's fantasy 

why do I still feel you here? 

your kiss on my lips

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

body and soul

a movie reel in black and white

rewinding in my head 

nothing like I imagined 

when lines have been reread 

somewhere in the darkness

the light I could not find 

never seeing clearly 

while my heart was blind

through this obscure existence

alive but still alone 

the part that kept on fighting 

my heart that was long gone 

dreams that ended differently 

that held nightmares at bay 

when the moon has faded

and night turned into day 

sleepwalking through those moments 

as the credits start to role 

knowing it could have been heaven 

you had me body and soul

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

unbridled freedom

a canyon in the west 

where the horses run free 

no bars, no corrals

a beautiful sight 

unbridled freedom 

the way it should be

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

shiver shot

shiver shot... 

100 proof lust 

falling down, 

drunk with passion 

a crescent moon, 

taking charge

just one shot 

is not enough

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

profiling

forty five minutes till my passport's stamped 

a three hour drive comes after that 

the drive I think will do me good 

there's this stuff I need to do 

some lists to make in mind... 

I'm thinking about things that just won't work 

start over again with things that should 

a profile of all I have to offer 

the loving traits held in this coffer

a perfect match with someone not blind 

to the intricacies that they will find

gonna bury the ones not built to last 

their heart encumbered or in the wrong place

their soul not free, or without love to give 

don't look here, that ship has sailed

I want it all and I deserve more 

before I reopen my heart's door

this time, I know, it's going to work 

roll up my sleeves, dust off the dirt 

I know just what I need to do

I'm going to give it all it's true 

this time they need to invest 

before  I do all the rest

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

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

debris

and it all runs off
like a desert wash
after the monsoon rain
debris left in dry arroyos
hazard signs to remind
remnants of the storm
it all runs off

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