digging in

going to grasp you tight 

hold on for the ride 

dig my feet in 

get ready to begin 

like a bronc from the chute 

excitement awaits 

clutching the rope 

grabbing on to hope 

let's take this wild ride 

before the horn's blare

one hand in the air

I may land in the dirt 

hitting face first

eight seconds like hours 

as I ride and get bucked 

but I hold on tight 

clutching the rope

grabbing on to hope 

let's finish this wild ride

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

American Cowboy

they are not a dying breed 

American cowboys live and breathe

from the brim of their Stetson hats

to the cowboy boots and leather chaps

American cowboys still live and breathe

 

not just beef and potatoes any more 

not line dancing, which some deplore

but a gentleman who treats a woman right 

arms entwined as you stroll in the night

he listens intently, much to your delight

 

at the end of the evening, he opens your door 

escorts you through, like it's not a chore 

the kiss that he gives is respectful and sweet

he lassoed your heart, swept you off your feet 

calling to say goodnight once again 

and your head, heart, and soul invite him in

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

hidden

I read you all wrong 

what is hidden stays that way 

forever it lays

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

singing a song

I keep on moving 

I keep pushing on 

I keep getting less 

from you that I'm drawn

although I am loving 

and singing a song

it's not a love song 

if you sing it alone

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

price

there is not much difference 

none that I can see 

everything's the same 

as it was last week 

you keep talking your talk 

and it all rolls so smooth

it pours out like honey 

when you've nothing to lose 

I'm just not that gal 

that you knew before

I've gained a little insight 

since you closed that door 

you know what I need 

but the price-tag's too high 

your words hit their mark 

and break me inside

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

maybe not

read or don't read 

talk or maybe not 

feel or don't feel 

memories you forgot 

write or don't write 

lay awake or fall asleep

whisper a little louder 

about the cares that creep 

want or don't want 

stay on or get off 

miss or maybe don't miss 

love me or maybe not

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

equation

staying up too late 

still losing weight 

the lights are blazing

working the equation 

no matter how I figure 

this query grows bigger 

as I refill my cup

it just doesn't add up 

what did I overlook 

in this lover's handbook 

did I jump the gun 

and end the long run 

that first urgent kiss 

that winter day of bliss 

memories that flare 

when my mind visits there 

still.....

it just doesn't add up 

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

too much

too much from me 

too little from you 

something that's not 

fades to blue 

two hearts unlinked 

one heart goes 

nothing given 

nothing shown 

hurt will heal 

over spans of time 

what once was there

no longer mine

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

love wanes

words spoken 

fantasies sought 

feelings touched

memories brought 

time slips 

heart's strain 

cutting deep 

as love wanes

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

relationship performance appraisal

a bi-annual performance appraisal 

of this relationship shows

that it is lacking in several areas

immediate improvement is required 

further review shows 

that it does demonstrate competency

is meeting standards on some scores 

but ambiguity is present 

and excitement is nonfunctional 

overall, this relationship

is bordering on unsatisfactory 

shows lack of enthusiasm on your part 

and intensive coaching is required 

feedback is expected 

with written goals and objectives 

otherwise, 

your resignation will be accepted 

sincerely, management

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

where I need to be

I can pretend, I'm at the beach

cool sea water around my feet 

sand that goes, for miles and miles 

as I whittle away the coming hours 

not a thought comes into mind 

all my worries left behind 

I'll worry when mañana comes 

cause mañana always comes

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

memory

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

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