wander

in between 

heaven's blue sky 

and hell's scorching flames 

I wander

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

if

if I loved you... 

more than the stars 

more than the moon 

more than the monsoons 

would this be enough? 

if I loved you... 

more than my luggage 

more than books more than life 

would this suffice? 

if I loved you... 

more than poetry

more than haiku 

would this do?

how much love does it take? 

how much feeling within?

how much of my heart?

to fill yours

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

perk

coffee's perking
mind is working
always in the past

pour a cup
to wake me up
wondering if it can last

another hour
java empowers
has the die been cast?

drive to work
heart in a cirque
the feeling, vast

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

the same

you call me to say
I'm the best part of your day
my answer... the same

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

door-frame

opening the door was easy
it wasn't made of wood
it wasn't barred
no lock with a skeleton key
closing it is harder
it remains ajar
your foot inserted firmly
in the door-frame

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

lay down

take your hat off cowboy 

sit down and rest awhile 

you've been on the range too long 

where is that winning smile? 

I know you worked up a sweat 

from riding this old homestead 

lay down and rest now cowboy

put your boots under my bed 

lay your head down on my breast 

let me wrap my warmth around 

let me take your cares away 

let my stroke your tired brow

let me hold you with my heart 

stop the worries from coming down 

let's make love until it's light 

and daylight again surrounds

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

let it flow

let it flow

feel me course

let it run 

fill you up 

let it burn 

like it burns in me

let it flow

let it flow

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

face up

I lay them on the table 

all my cards face up 

there's nothing up my sleeve 

or sleight of hand card tricks 

all my truth and fiction 

laid out for you to see

ante up or call my bluff 

sometimes enough 

is never enough

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

saddle up

saddle up 

ride the passion 

hold the reins 

in your strong  hands

unharness the breeze 

while you roam freely 

hidden joy lays in between 

lips travel a trail 

the sighs they entail 

the juices flow, hot 

like a monsoon rain 

saddle up for a wild ride

feel the heat you create 

ecstasy awaits

the touch of a hand 

response to commands 

freely it flows 

as passion explodes

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

the glass

half full on my desk life,

like a book not yet read 

much I long to do

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

unspoken

the words unspoken 

I can feel it in your touch 

see it in your eyes

feel it in each touch

taste it on your lips

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

storm

and when the storm passed 

the rain had washed my soul clean 

had left my mind clear 

had unlocked my heart

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

long may we run

the engine revs 

as we wind it out

a relationship entwined 

with passion and doubt 

we fine tune the rattles, 

explore a new route 

long may we run, long may we run 

we pump in octane 

and take to the road 

track never smooth, 

hitting overload 

tapping the brakes 

we downshift to low 

long may we run, long may we run

running on fumes 

and the motor's heat 

good times and bad 

thrown in the backseat 

toss change for the tolls, 

we don't miss a beat 

long may we run, long may we run 

memories we keep, 

stowed in the trunk 

with a spare, a jack 

and miscellaneous junk 

over each bridge 

and excruciating bump 

long may we run, long may we run

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

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