for keeps

do I speak it softly
here by my bedside?
or shout it out loud
from the high mountainside?
have a conversation
with all the mesquite
or with folded hands,
here down on my knees

do I ask absolution
from all my past sins?
for the ones I pushed out
or wrong ones I let in
maybe a rosary
said two or three times
all that I'm asking
is for one little sign

dear God in heaven
I may have been bad
and I never noticed
the good things I had
all that I'm asking
no--begging if you please
all I have now
I just want to keep

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

Trust

Trusting you would have meant 

Surrendering convictions, defeat, yielding 

Trusting you would have meant 

Forgiveness for past discretions, absolution, mercy 

Trusting you would have meant 

A leap of faith, certainty, sincerity 

My heart says open up to trust 

My mind says walk away real fast

absolution

an oasis at the end of a very long trail 

a dip in the pool of Heaven's sweet Grace 

how did you know that this was the place?

a sanctuary for keeping your secrets all safe 

out it all pours as stardust from the dipper

flecked with gold specks, shining in lunar light 

words written carelessly in black and on white 

cause for reflection in the dead of my night 

sleep that evades me and dreams that don't come 

the sun starts to fade and evening befalls 

I try to make sense out of nothing at all 

but the piper is insisting on his margin call 

nothing will I tell, your confessions not divulge

like a Priestess to a penitent, I lock it all in 

I offer absolution for all of your sins 

lighting a candle of peace for my friend

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

chaos

in chaos I found abandonment

in abandonment, I found peace

I looked too hard for compassion

and for this pain to cease

in quite solitude--

what I looked so hard to find

was locked up in a chamber

but was there this whole time

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

prophet

temptation bought without any reason
what is the price that you will pay?
when it's choking out the sun
just dark clouds on a rainy day
consuming, scratching and screaming
clawing its way to the top
a thick cream that soon rises
it clabbers without stopping

fragments of possessions
pointed shards of yesterday
cutting deep, crimson bleeding
all you've hidden away
the fear so black and hollow
as it suffocates all you know
slam that door, lock it tight
refuse its ticket to the show

take the shroud that wrapped you
shed that tiresome weight
the angel on your shoulder
will be your saving grace
a silver lining does appear
like a prophet it will speak
take its advice, don't think twice
at times when you feel weak

from the prophet gather your strength

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

crash

on the bituminous asphalt
scattered, shattered dreams
didn't feel the head-on crash
though silently I screamed

shards of recognition
laying at my feet
dented metal memories
that now seem not as sweet

blown rubber realization
the heart can't be revived
emt's take the body
spirit showing no signs of life

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

shards

you glance back at what you created
the tower taller and getting nearer
it shines in the sun and glows in the dark
it’s where the fire began with a spark

you whistle a tune and some come running
smiling their smiles and dancing to your tune
but I do neither and turn my back
picking up speed and tightening the slack

you call for me, but I can’t hear
a white noise hums inside my head
what was true and built to last
shatters like so many shards of glass

freight

sediment drained to the bottom of the glass

momentary thoughts, that are not meant to last

saguaro that shadow, in afternoon sun

the full moon rising when this day is done

leaves from mesquite, that spread far and wide

the soft evening sound of the whispering tide

what once was close, is once more adrift

slipping away, from a now open grip

how quickly it comes, and then floats away

once shiny and new, now dismal and gray

it's not that I've changed, or now want it back

it's more that now finally, my life is on track

I hope you rest easy, on the choices you've made

not that you'd go back, if there was a way

separated by streets, but in the same state

finally rid of the baggage, or more likely freight

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

a heart unfulfilled

when the day is long
and the night haunts me
and I’m here alone
not where I want to be
the dreams that come
remind me you are gone
clutching your pillow
as the nightmare wears on

the sun creeps in
and I wake still distressed
unhappy with the morning
that leaves me repressed
drink the acrid coffee
that's so bitter and hot
start another day
with a darkened blind spot

the day does drag on
hours feel like years
just since you left
I remain now austere
going through the motion
it seems life stands still
regrets and remorse
a heart unfulfilled

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

just the facts

the red tape cut and it all unravels

they're looking at you and all of your travel

hitting pot holes and kicking up gravel

and time comes again, as a judge with a gavel

they tie your hands and bind your feet

more rolls down but you don't miss a beat

investigating friends, and all those you meet

turning up the pressure on a very hot seat

disintegrating words they claim are implicit

while the shit they do is much more explicit

the sheep's open ears, hearing all they solicit

the truth be told, they just don't get it

you spread your truth will it all stay intact?

will enough people hear to feel the impact?

they come at you again, each one is strapped

you know that your message, is backed by fact

firing their lies, their guns still smoking 

slaps on the back cause the ego needs stroking

all they do, stirring up more provoking

keep your heart strong for the holes that need poking

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

a time and place

a time and place 

when it all seemed right 

I heard your songs 

saw it in your smile

the squeeze of your hand

and your warm embrace 

it was in your kiss

that I still taste

a time and place 

when it all comes down 

with a lightning flash 

and thundering sound 

the wind blows hard 

dusting all thoughts clean

and what is left

sweeps my heart free

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

a heart that weeps

I jumped the hurdles
I climbed the rungs
you went higher
I couldn’t hold on

the song you sang
I couldn’t hear
words to the wind
or on deaf ears

you disappeared
without a trace
no tracks left
the trail erased

no warning shot
you were on the move
an empty chamber
an aim not true

when you left
you took it all
no safety net
to block my fall

a broken past
a wall left breached
a soul bereft
a heart that weeps

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

I am

I am today what yesterday wrought

what the day brings in, what my soul has bought

the spirit that leaves as the day grows strong

what's left in shadows from yesterdays song

I am right now what the day will bring

with shiny luster, and hoped for dreams

headstrong tolerance, disposition wasted

from bittersweet memories I once tasted

I am tomorrow stronger still

fighting the anger, bending my will

all the tomorrows, all the unknown

depending upon how much I've grown

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

replete

we embrace the music and the joy of our dance
in the dusk that falls before night settles in
no notice do we take as the moon starts ascent
you fill me with love--it courses through my veins

is there a better feeling, a confection any sweeter?
your head upon my breast, listening to my heart beat
whispers in the moonlight, a dance that we repeat
a song playing over and over, of love that is replete

slumber will find me wrapped snugly in your arms
dreams of floating on clouds--softly come upon me
you awaken me with kisses and we embrace the day
as last night history lesson is once more completed

is there a better feeling, a confection any sweeter?
your head upon my breast, listening to my heart beat
whispers in the moonlight, a dance that we repeat
a song playing over and over, of love that is replete

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

days drift

days drift
feelings shift
nights are long

winds blow
love goes
rain will fall

hearts break
spirit quakes
I am gone

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

the list

I’ve broken some hearts
when I didn’t mean to
lived months of rain
and skies of blue
been to love’s buffet
where there wasn’t any food
bitten off way more
than I could ever chew

I’ve traveled the world
I like it here best
learned some lessons
from pretty hard tests
been down and out
had to hit reset
turned my face from heaven
and was still blessed

I’ve been betrayed by
some I thought were friends
I’ve been to a Priest
and confessed my sins
the list will grow longer
before it can end
always starting over
and over again

what love should be

as I moved on to sunnier days
past weeks of rain
wondering if I could have done more
given more space
no, it wasn't me

it was always you
and all about you
not listening
pulling back for days on end
no word at all

but--it was for the best
I finally figured it all out
I didn't wrong you
but you me
opening my eyes
to what love could and should be

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

plain to see

some things are plain to see
when your eyes are clear
comparisons and judgments
in your mind linger here
shackled to old memories
chained to what is lost
on a shaky bridge to tomorrow
what I held and what is lost

I sift through the pieces
of all that was untrue
my accordion pleated mind
filing traces left from you
you sleep in the bed you made
it was all your choice
while listening in silence
to what once was my voice

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

I Love....

I love paisley and I love my glock
Alan Jackson, and bad boy Rock
Dwight Yoakam in cowboy boots
I love dancing to Fast As You

I love seafood and I love steak
Surf and turf in a restaurant's great
No longer eating that many carbs
Except for beer in a cowboy bar

I love leather and I love pearls
You can't call me a girlie girl
Camo pants and also tees
Hunting is the life for me

I love quads and I love bikes
Take me on a long, hot ride
I love new cars of many kinds
Drives you out of your ever loving' mind

I love Calvin for his jeans
And his sexy under things
Mention shopping - deal me in
I don't think that is a sin

I love tequila with salt and lime
In Mexico it tastes mighty fine
Love the beach and the casa there
The sea, the sand and the moist air

I love adventure on a ocean cruise
Enjoying coffee in a balcony room
Castle keep with coat of arms
Moats that kept all safe from harm

I love the spa on a starry night
Jets flying over with crew in flight
A full moon that sees it all
You and me and bubbly foam

I love my babies, there are four
Two boys, two girls an even score
Nana is the name for me
It's a wonderful life you see

I could ramble for days on end
This list I'd probably need to amend
Of all the things I truly crave
My soul mate is my favorite fave!!

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

pearls

so many pearls
lustrous, milky white
hand woven the strand that holds
one small tug, pulls it all apart
as all but one drop
bouncing on the tile

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

time stands still

your fingers trace and then expand
you paint a picture with your hands
followed by lips that leave a trail
all the while your motive veiled

flickers on the ceiling tiles
a fan that cools us all the while
knowingly you hit the spot
always finding what you saught

in these moments that I know
loving you by the candle's glow
dreams return and cover me
blanketed with love's fantasies

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

distance and age

it all improved with distance and age
nothing to think about at this stage
I was there, and then was gone
no surrender, no so long

you probably think, that it was me
you did no wrong that you could see
the blame is squarely placed  on you
the games you played when I was true

minutes wept by on the clock
no door bell rings and there's no knock
way beyond the barrier's reef
I stand my ground here by the sea

walking beaches, stepping on shells
here's to those who know me well
the rest of you can fade away
I don't need you here today
Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

just once more

the half veiled glances and close, slow dances 

the silken threads that weave temptation 

the loves long past that faded fast 

a toast to what's not made to last

when what lays hidden spills from inside 

when the open door invites once more 

when the embers revive the memories 

and dreams aren't that but now deceive

as the music plays from our yesterdays 

as this day will fade from blue to gray 

as time stands still--as I bend my will 

one more time without the thrill

in the half veiled glances and close, slow dances 

the silken threads that weave temptation 

the loves long past that faded fast

 a toast to what's not made to last 

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

petals

between the petals where the sweetness lays
moisture forms like condensation on glass from humidity
joy lingers by the candle's glow, long into the night
with lunar beam comes the dream--half reality, half fantasy
I wake at dawn, stretch and yawn, languid in your arms
knowing when you slip into this vaporous mist
I'll catch you when you fall
I'll catch you when you fall

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

a "tion" poem

starting new traditions
without any renditions
or horrible superstitions
after much cogitation
not fallacy or fiction
just our inclination
and this fascination
based on laws of attraction

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