fireflies

we sit on the porch this evening
a beautiful summer night
lingering after dinner
while watching the fireflies
sitting on the old porch swing
watching the night go by

smell the fresh cut grass
a cooling breeze that blows
look at the moon and stars
we swing and sit real close
while fireflies light the sky

watching the shadows grow

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

float

I dive in the deep end
down deep too long
my skin starts to tingle
water burns my lungs
not a strong swimmer
as I come up and choke
I can't swim back
but I can float
so I float

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

my gift

and my gift to you
unwanted, upon the shelf
ribbons not untied

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

salesman

like a used car salesman

selling crap that doesn't run

you thought I would be easy

thought you'd have some fun

but I wasn't in the market

for what's hidden behind the smile

listening to your bullshit

I could see you coming for miles

save it for the next time

when some girl comes this way

maybe you'll get lucky

on a different day

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

soar

love takes flight
with feathers of gold
soaring to heights
only angels have known
over amber fields of wheat
over gardens of red rose
over seas of darkest green
over ranges peaked with snow
soar on higher and higher
lift and carry me
soar on higher and higher
lift and carry me
love takes flight
with feathers of gold
soaring to heights
only heaven can know

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

prince

you are the prince in the fairytale
come to life in front of me
you see things inside of me
that no one has ever seen

inside these verde valleys
and this mountainous terrain
you travel with your heart and mind
knowingly staking claim

you sing to me your love song
lyrics written as you go
music played with your spirit
the chords played from your soul

keep singing this beautiful melody
keep filling me with your song
while we travel along together
a journey that promises to be long

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

once

when memories weep
and fantasy fades
when all that is past
and drifts away
then my heart can admit
my mind will commit
to the fact that
I once loved you

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

plenty

you say "it doesn't cost a penny"
you say "it is almost free"
but I know that isn't true
I've been there before with you
and it's gonna cost me plenty

you say "just let me kiss you"
you say "just one little hug"
but I know one just won't do
I've been there before with you
and it is gonna cost me plenty

you say "just let me love you"
you say "just give me your heart"
but I know it's not enough
never will be, never was
and it is gonna cost me plenty

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

lay it all down

lay it down

tell it straight 

scale the wall

built in haste 

look inside 

what do you feel? 

is it nothing? 

or is it real? 

answer the questions 

that your heart has 

start a future 

forget the past

moving fast 

or stuck in slow

figure out 

which way to go

lay it down 

tell it straight 

scale the wall 

seal your fate

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

fog

come out of the fog 

wrap you arms around my sun 

dissipating why

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

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