RAJ

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

Echoes

echoes of emotion 

permeate the room 

from wall to wall 

can you not hear it? 

screaming, shrieking 

clamoring to be heard 

falling on deaf ears

no one hears, responds 

except for me 

like the Tell-Tale Heart 

I hear every sound 

but can not react 

why no response 

from the crowd?

they must hear it

the breaking of my heart 

the rending of my soul 

the turmoil of my spirit 

and yet they leave 

saying their good nights

leaving me alone with the pain 

leaving me alone 

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

all of those times

there is a wild whisper, that's blowing in the wind
it sweeps down from the mountains like a very old friend
it whips my hair about my face and eyes
and though it makes me squint
it brings back all of those memories
and I wonder where they went

all of those old times of laughter and dancing close
all of those old songs we and tiles on a board
all of those old mornings talking, and refilling cups
all of those old times of loving and sharing that I miss most

there is a wild whisper, that's blowing in the wind
it sweeps down from the mountains like a very old friend

it whips my hair about my face and eyes

and though it makes me blue
it brushes up against fantasy 

and dreams no longer true

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

tiles

if I seem too quiet now
if I show you with actions
don't tell you with words
don't tell you why or how
I love you

I spell it out with tiles
letters with points on a board
double word score
down and across
I love you

when love costs
the price too high
for the heart to bear
worth every last feeling
I love you

take it all
give nothing back
your light dim in my dark
bright it shines in other eyes
and still it rests here inside
I love you

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

what once was

the point was moot
lost in translation
you slammed the door
my fingers in the jam
I've been here before

what makes you stronger hurts
apology comes when you are ready
terms and conditions set once again
grass not greener but brown and dead
like the friendship I so miss

you drew the line, I wait
nearby I crouch, willingly
it means too much
I miss it all
the closeness of what once was

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

greener grass

you left it outside
rusting and oxidizing
no thoughts for its value

someone will see
the jewel that it is
polishing till it shines

nurturing what is found
sparkling in life
and on a finger

you don't know winning
but you don't want to lose
wanting back what is missing

posting a photo for all to see
an image that meant something
not to you but to he

the grass is greener
on the other side
it will stay that way

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

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

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

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