Friday, July 26, 2024

the other side

the other side has flowers
this side wrought with thorns
the other side is sunny
this side thunderstorms
the other side has mountains
this side flat and brown
the other side grows lushly
this side is beaten down

the other side may have
these things
this side not so much
the grass is always greener
on what you cannot touch
I may look there longingly
and think it may be smooth
but I will stay on my side
working to improve it
Creative Commons License
Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

Wednesday, July 24, 2024

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

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
Creative Commons LicensePoetry 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

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

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

Monday, July 22, 2024

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

Saturday, July 20, 2024

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

Monday, July 15, 2024

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

Saturday, July 13, 2024

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 

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

Wednesday, July 10, 2024

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
Creative Commons License
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

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

Tuesday, July 9, 2024

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
Creative Commons License
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
Creative Commons License
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