I remember

there are places I remember 

where the moonlight shines on the sea 

sand goes on for miles and miles 

and my soul completely at peace 

I remember windy city streets 

cold winds blowing off the lake 

locked away on a spring afternoon 

warmed by the love we just made 

I remember a windmill 

with sails that couldn't spin 

storm clouds in the distance 

wetting to the skin 

I remember thundering monsoons 

blustery winds and lightning flashes

raging washes over flowing the streets

creating our own fire and passions

sorting through the feelings of all 

entwined for while and then just friends

memories made in different hues

it all ends the way it began

 

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

unanswered

all the words I speak

resonate in the mountains

return, unanswered

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

quick as a blink

I see it all just passing by 

quick as a blink from my green eyes 

I see the distance, stretched out it spans 

to get there I need a helping hand

leave the past on the side of the road 

footsteps sure as we lighten our load 

drifters take some and leave the rest 

moving forward is always what is best

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

not a sheep

you go along with their program

a good obedient sheep

gas and groceries soaring

your 401K bleeds

you think of going solar

to cut electricity

and while you cut expenses

their coffers line from greed

you think you can get through this

believing their regime

tighten your belt from hunger

not getting all you need

did the vaccine make you better?

did the side affects you read?

you did just what they told you

consequence runs deep

borders over flowing

fentanyl in our streets

the hangman isn't hanging

the criminals they set free

children are in crisis

and suffering from debris

the kingdom won't protect them

it's up to you and me

Patriot flags are flying

not trusting what is said

they load their arms in anger

each day filled with more dread

while lies spill from enforcers

and truth no longer spreads

they pray to God in Heaven

to keep us in His stead

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

you didn't promise

cold winds blow 

down from the snowy peaks

rain hits panes, 

the day looks bleak 

a day like today 

is good for searching souls

and finally coming to grips 

with what I know

I know you didn't promise, 

a future rosy bright 

I know you didn't promise, 

more than just one night 

I know you didn't promise, 

not to break my heart 

I know that you now know, 

I fell and fell real hard

all these realizations 

and the heartache that it brings 

it's not like I sit and dwell 

on buried, useless things

it's not like I'm not trying 

to give my heart away 

it's just feelings that come fleeting

almost every day

there, it's finally out there, 

I've written how I feel

it doesn't make it better 

or make it seem less real 

you didn't offer a promise 

but left me wanting more 

told me your heart's longing

to one you met before 

I know you didn't promise, 

a future rosy bright 

I know you didn't promise, 

more than just one night 

I know you didn't promise, 

not to break my heart 

I know that you now know, 

I fell and fell real hard

 

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

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

circumstances

I should've held it against you

how you set me up to fail

but you were the one

when it's all said and done

plan came to no avail

the circumstances were iffy

it could have gone either way

but the truth won out

with never a doubt

and I fight on another day

what was it your were expecting?

did you think the facts weren't there?

I know it wasn't how

they wanted to work it out

but the sword weighs less than a prayer!

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

free time

I'm doing just fine without you 

never had more on my plate

working ten hours, sleeplessness 

yeah, I'm really doing just great 

and if I was doing any better 

couldn't imagine it more sublime

the hardest part is figuring out 

what to do with my free time 

I've gotten real good at solitaire 

I can sing lyrics to all sad songs 

crossword puzzles leave me breathless

and I do them all day long 

I'm catching up on Gunsmoke 

every day at  straight up noon 

I'm donating clothes to the shelter 

this diet isn't one I'd choose 

I can always pick up tomorrow 

all the things left for me to do 

you don't need to worry about me 

I'm doing just fine without you

don't let it bother your conscience

about the heartache in which I dwell

while you carry on without me

yeah, I'm gonna be just swell

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

all I need

I don't have a lot
more than some others
I don't ask a lot
less than some others
but what I've got is true

I'll give it all to you
there's nothing that I can't do
if I can have you

I can live with less flair
less than some others
I have all the comforts I need
more than some others
but I have this love that's true
I'll share it all with you
there's nothing that we can't do
'cause all I need is you

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

enigma

your heart is full of wonder
at this gift on which you stumble
an enigma, depths much deeper
a spell you soon fall under

the package may be small
and you open it enthralled
you dig through the layers inside
excited by each and all

a treasure that will add light
to the darkness of your nights
a gem that will always sparkle
in the facets of your life

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

this moment in time

something I can believe in
I'm loving these new feelings
right now, this moment in time
hold on baby, hold on tight

with you I can bare my soul
loving you makes it so
right now, this moment in time
hold on baby, hold on tight

it's like driving in pouring rain
or like hiking a mountain range
right now, this moment in time
hold on baby, hold on tight

I don't know where you've been
but you awoke that feeling again
right now, this moment in time
hold on baby, hold on tight

I can't say where this will go
let's just see if it can grow
right now, this moment in time
hold on baby, hold on tight

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

genius with words

a genius with words
talent in what you compose
ways of putting it together
obscurity in lyric and prose

the followers that read
thinks this could be me
leading the reader along
addicting to written charm

some I have re-read
were different than I recalled
the meaning now more clear
not what I first thought all

I'm one of your addicted fans
in what you write I see
that once upon a time
some were about you and me

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

what's up with that

sent you a perfumed letter
came back return to sender
I'm de-fizzed like a soda gone flat
baby, what's up with that?

sent you a heart on Facebook

trying to find a new hook
ignored and turned down splat
baby, what's up with that?

sent you a smiley face
instant message, went right away
ignored like a pesky gnat
baby, what's up with that?

gonna send you one more text
don't know what I'll do next
I think you lack a welcome mat
baby, what's up with that?

all this leaves me deflated
like a movie that's over rated
like Casey, I struck out a bat
baby, what's up with that

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

magic

a life full of mystery
sometimes magic, often wonder
a magician's sleight of hand
magic spells that pull us under

you think it's figured out
thought it through in advance
as you dig inside your heart
to give it one more chance

no success at tuning it out, thoughts
won't listen to commands
I try hard to control my mind
but my heart gets out of hand

my heart like a tightened fist
holding fast to what its feels
and what I need from you
is magic so it can heal

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

out west

yes, you drive a pick-up
wear your boots and hat
your body's in the city
but not where your mind's at

you dream of open fences
a meadow for your horse
a stream behind a cabin
stone hearth to keep you warm

the day is getting nearer
when you toss your tie and run
you hear the mountains calling
out west where you belong

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

paradise

do you remember?
when we are apart
how you took my hand
then stole my heart
under the moon
by the whispering sea
that first time you said
that you loved me

do you remember?
when we are apart
how paradise feels
or have you forgot?
am I there in your day?
or just in your dreams
did you mean what you said?
that you loved me

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

atrocity

I stole the silver lining
from the clouds above
wove them ever carefully 
into a mantle for my shoulders
no longer will wishes come true

this atrocity realized
the heavens opened
crying sparkling tears
which I beaded on a
golden cord for my neck

darkness came and I pulled
the stars from the night
stitched them into a flowing skirt
with the crescent moon
as a tiara for my hair

for these sins I am damned
beauty pillaged not created
selfish, narcissistic, envious
of creation beyond my own
Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License.

curtain call

the curtain up
the stage is set
the paint still wet
on props
orchestra tunes
starting soon
excitement in my heart
a tragedy, a comedy
a script of drama and love
lines rehearsed
totally immersed
a "Tony" award for sure
final curtain call
still enthralled
as you play
for an audience
of two

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

asunder

as it all slips away
memories not saved
words you wouldn't say
love lost on the way

it echoes in the thunder
causing me to ponder
this spell I fell under
as love breaks asunder

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

the kind of friend

would you lay it all down

to save me, my friend? 

can you give what I need

and be happy you did?

I can say good-bye but never let you go 

you're buried too deeply inside of my soul 

can you be the kind of friend 

who always looks back? 

picks me up when I've fallen,

puts me on the right track? 

will you never look down 

and please never let me go? 

bury me there, deeply, 

inside of your soul 

we live, we learn we play another hand 

we can't see the future 

with just one glance 

we keep rolling the dice 

and leaving it to chance 

and what we lay down 

will always comes back 

we never look down 

and we never let go 

and it all comes from something 

buried deep inside of our souls

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

dance with me

put on your boots
and I'll don mine
let's go some place
where the music's fine
all the others
are forming a line
dance with me baby
one more time

let's dance real late
into another night
till the moon disappears
and it becomes light
hold me close
hold me tight
dance with me baby
one more time

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

haiku

a mind that plays tricks
on a heart that won't catch on
cataclysm results

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

resurrected

it's not like mine were the first green eyes 

that peered through the shroud of your are 

that looked deep inside, and saw through you 

pulled the scoundrel, resurrected the truth 

it's not like you didn't display the signs 

of want and need and what I provide 

you hide your heart and lay down pain 

I take it all and I remain

reminiscent of yet another heart in time 

your love torn deep, gashing open wide 

another valley, a different crescent moon 

a history of heart and grace and truth 

you revisit the love, anguish, affliction 

affirming it won't happen again 

I am you then and still I remain 

a friend till the end, a heart still pained

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

erased

memories erased 

your mind free, as is your heart 

not a trace is left

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

you rock

all my secrets and deep, deep truths 

with the wrath of God, I heap on you 

and like the trooper that you are, 

replies with insight and spiritual thoughts 

you listen quietly, talking me through 

these fallacious ideas and my blue hues

building me up, never letting me down 

leave me smiling, when I'm finally done

you complement, never criticize 

and in these matters, you are wise 

what other friend would stick around? 

you totally rock, I'm your biggest fan

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

then and now

yesterday's song, 

gone before dawn

bits and pieces of us 

scattered in the wind 

but one thing is true 

always about you 

I loved you then and now

yesterday's dance,

one more chance 

embracing fire and passion 

the music ends 

before it begins, 

still 

I loved you then I love you now

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