intense

thinking all about this  

choices that have happened 

from the first hello

to that last goodbye

the only thing I can figure 

in this lengthy analysis 

no other observation

relationships are intense

it is right brain, left brain

and everything in-between 

it's chemical, physical, biological

emotional and temperamental

it's what we can't hold back 

give back or take back too

one false step could rock it

and you fall in a abyss

there isn't rhyme or reason 

and forget all those equations 

the psychology and self-help books

it's really simple addition 

one and one makes two 

and giving your best shot 

close your eyes. dive right in

float up to the top

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

take your best shot

all these comments and none that matter
ego intact, not broken or shattered
say what you want, you arrogant fools
hope you don't fall from that high stool

you think you know, and I'll take a knee
not born yesterday, or hidden from Thee

I put it all out, for others to see
what they all think matters very little to me

so go ahead all, take your best shot
'cause like I said, it matters naught
I read once, the constitution says
I have free speech, it's none of your biz
Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

it's okay

it's okay to say I love you 

it's okay to show you care 

it's okay to offer all you have

even if you have some fears 

it's okay to not have answers 

it's okay to take your best shot 

it's okay to offer nothing 

just say that's all you've got 

it's okay to figure often 

it's okay to be in the dark 

it's okay to know that sometimes 

love is going to hurt

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

dreams are just for dreaming

I slip in past the smoke screen

hitting just a little too close 

night vision is a bonus 

I see you as you doze

no different from what I discovered 

some things will never change 

and I leave you like I found you 

with nothing rearranged 

I can see you on the road 

your thumb out, hitchin a ride

I was carrying a heavy load

construction made a difficult drive

no places on the shoulder 

no pull off posted by sign

I stop in the middle of the street 

getting ticketed for my time 

dreams are just for dreaming 

clandestine just the same 

real life is for real living 

not framing in a picture frame 

you take what He hands down 

trying to ace the tests 

you do with it what you can 

then stow it with all the rest 

here I stand on solid ground 

as the world spins round and round 

it's my competitive nature

that won't let me back down 

I once took my best shot 

got a ribbon for second place 

but I was in the running 

I accept my trophy with grace

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

score

I can tell you’re coming over  

I’ve seen that look before 

can tell my date has stood me up 

you think you're going to score?

here you are on your approach 

my defenses are ready to go 

come on over, take your best shot 

let’s see what you have to show

 

“is this seat taken?” you ask

you're already sitting down 

except for mine they're all empty 

you only have to look around 

I shrug my shoulders, move my bag 

to the seat  on the other side 

you’re moving your chair closer

and Romeo, it's now go time 

let’s see what you have got there

what you have up your sleeve

I’m not staying here much longer 

I'm already set to leave

but you're a little bit different 

you start talking about your day 

not being at all flirtatious 

not making me feel like prey 

you tell me some amazing stories

both funny and sincere 

I’m dropping my defenses

and starting to like it here 

I may have been wrong about you 

and where I thought this was leading 

there is no such innuendo 

you just talk to me with feeling 

the night goes on quite smoothly 

you seem genuine and real

it’s a long time since I’ve talked like this 

you’ve got a lot of appeal 

you say “if it’s not too forward, 

I’d like to give you a call” 

“I’ve enjoyed meeting you immensely 

you’ve kept me quite enthralled.” 

so I give you a number 

from the cleaners down the street 

thank you for a lovely evening 

and hasten my retreat

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

I forgive

what about closure, when it never comes
I know that sudden death leaves a hole
deeper and blacker than any pit;
you climb out, brush off the dirt
continue on your way...
merry or not

an apology, with true heart
with unhidden motives
and purest reflection...
yeah, that would do it

sometimes,  you just gotta say
it ain't ever comin' my way
I forgot what all the ruckus was about
I know it was something
but in the realm of reality
lookin' over my shoulder
inside my heart--
I forgive

now go, and sin no more!

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

something deeper

a crisp yellow shirt
long sleeved on a hot July
in you walk, my heart goes thump
a cool character
lookin for love

humorous, your eyes twinkle
laughter fills the dim lit room
tequila fuels nervous thoughts
chased by surrender
to something deeper

not so lucky times before
but you got all that you looked for
lines are spoken--they always worked
a few of my own added to yours
history in the making

I've worn that shirt with nothing else
a country tune you may know well
cautions blown away with wind
hazard cones precariously placed
around the chambers of my heart

a seeker finds what he searches for
knowing where to look--sweet mystery
we nurse our wounds from what is not
toss what wasn't in a box
trusting what will be

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

Scratch Deeper

Scratch deeper than the surface
Look beyond the façade I present
Look into my depths

Discover who I am
My insecurities and my fears
My mysteries, secrets, intricacies

Unravel my layers
Each tier something new
Explore all that I am

Search my mind
Search my heart and spirit
Look into my soul

The answers are here
And I will reveal all to you
But scratch deeper than the surface

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

15 Minutes

Have I already used my 15 minutes?
My 15 minutes of fame
That everyone gets

Did I use it wisely?
Did I help someone less fortunate?
Keep them from sinking deeper into an abyss

Wouldn’t I know?
If I did something fantastic
Other than the good feeling it leaves

I have done countless good deeds
Donated to charities and worthy causes
Going green to save the planet

I have donated food
Worked for the Red Cross
Rescued stray pets

How will I know?

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

morning doves

sing your song, morning doves
it lilts so sweetly on the early morning breeze
I know you are not singing to me
but in the stillness of this cool morning
before my day really begins
sing your song

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

stillness

love was slowly pounding,
pounding on my heart's door
was I too slow at answering?
I opened it, no one was there
just stillness in the night air
and the fragrance of what could be

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

redemption day

tried too hard to hide it
melancholy seeping through
this shadow on my soul
the sun does not get to

singing my song to you
and casting it to the wind
echoes in the stillness
throbbing pain within

following your heart's path
the one that leads away
abandon thoughts left here
it's your redemption day

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

the number of the beast

666...
the number of the beast
vexillum of soldiers
marching without souls
debauchery, treachery
destroying all they see
look to your left
then to your right
they look like you and me

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

footsteps

footsteps that falter
loosing the path
tripping and falling
in loves abyss
growing softer
slipping away
echoing sounds
from the trail where they strayed

no circling back
on this road I travel
nothing to grab
as it all unravels
in this forest
densely overgrown
I forge ahead
into the unknown

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

for you

in the gentleness of your touch 

in crystal blue pools of warmth 

in your voice that soothes me 

and your contagious laughter 

in deep kisses and loving moments 

your arm around me as we dream

all of this and much, much more 

is the gift you give to me 

with support and understanding 

your concern for my feelings 

my problems that you can't control 

you listen and hear me 

all the while my heart beating

ponderance and quiet times 

music we've both come to know 

and a dance we have only begun 

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

frailties

and in the light I see it
the frailties of man
contaminating oceans
pillaging our land
it glistens in the sunlight
pours down with the rain
clouds of realization
hovering poisonous haze
these sins will last for centuries
our children's children will pay
for the wanton disregard
of all the things You gave

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

distant dream

the stars will guide you
your love remind you
the journey has begun
you're finally on the run

once a distant dream
a fantasy now beams
leave behind the past
your heart now will hold fast

living for this time
all the rungs you climbed
once cloaked in your shroud
emanating as clouds

opportunities now brought
and all the things you sought
it all falls into place
at last your saving grace

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

11

in a lacy dress

my hair done up

I am finally ready

to fill my cup

you smile at me

and take my hand

as we stand together

just as planned

eleven years

too fast it goes 

if only some way

I could make it slow

I'll take this love

through rain or in sun

forever in my soul

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

vagabond

a vagabond's heart 

did what it pleased 

silently drifting 

empty of needs 

reveling in pleasure

repenting the pain 

but it all closes in 

nothing is gained 

hitting a stone wall 

you slip as you climb 

asking the same questions 

time after time 

the answers you sought 

burn way down deep 

a spirit lost in shadow 

trying to break free 

let the cleansing come 

let the rain pour down 

let me ease your pain 

as the sorrow drowns

let redemption cloak

let your spirit mend 

let your soul wrap around 

the heart of a friend

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

song

you strum my fate softly, 

fingers agilely moving 

on the strings of my heart

the lyrics you sing 

the chords that you play 

rip deeply into my soul 

rendering memories; acoustic sound 

vibrating my pain and depths of despair 

the chords are strong 

a scordatura performed 

reinforcing anguish 

the song complete 

tears glisten and fall

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

God's good gravce

with God's good grace, I've made it here

my guardian Angel always near

ever watchful, never sleeps

incase she needs to interfere

I've been close to dangers door

she intervened like times before

swooping down to save my ass

I'm sure I am one big chore

thank you God, for  all you give

what a life you've let me live

thank you for forgiving my sins

never once did I misgive

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

a place in time

in the masquerading dawn
sun rising slowly across the lawn
all the dreams from the night before
just don’t matter anymore

coffee clears my foggy brain
and those old thoughts that still remain
warmed by rays of a new day
cold to the bone by months of rain

how do I sort out the truth?
all that begins and ends with you
am I all or just a place?
a place that holds a tiny space

you swear I am the only one
been that way since we’ve begun
you build on lines that worked before 
still ajar is the  backdoor

an ace stuck in a ticking spoke
the road to never ending hope
too little pay for so much work
a heart that hides a world of hurt

here and now

do ghosts stop by, now and again?
reeking havoc, ruining plans
dragging their chains from long ago
like REM,  moving quick or slow

do they dig trenches in your mind?
always lagging just behind
seeds you reaped from fields well ploughed
burrowed in your sweating brow

are you content in the here and now?
given a promise and a vow
distracted by the could have been
are you out or are you in?

sometimes silence echoes so
I can't read what I well know
roll the dice on what has bled
exorcize them from your head

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

slow

so we danced for awhile
and we danced real close
the lyrics blue
the tempo slow

you held me tight
whispered in my ear
just for one night
the meaning clear

so we danced for awhile
and we danced real slow
that song has ended
that one night gone

three percenter

a three percenter through and through
patrons of red, white and blue
NRA we do support
second amendment being sold short


we fly the flag from a tall pole
the one we all do love and know
waving proudly, in the breeze
flying high above the trees

the founding fathers wrote the rules
they were here for me and you
never should they be revoked
that's why you have a right to vote

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