poetic justice

borders drawn, I step across
not a leap of faith
was it so hard?
was it that bad?
no, it was bittersweet
a rich dark chocolate
that leaves an aftertaste

were the words "I love you"
what you expected to hear?
written in flowing verse
not whispers in your ear
easier to say at a distance
while longing for you to be near

poetic justice, words that flow
vague lyrics that sweep through
softening blows, without afterglow
of all that we might have known
was it so hard?
was it so bad?
no, baby, it was bittersweet

the taste will linger
long after it melts
the wrapper tossed
your love not expressed
mine spoken for you to read
over and over
all that I bled

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

moss

we forged a bridge of friendship
constructed of heaviest steel
and the river of injustice
flows freely underneath
no undertow or crashing waves
wash up on grassy banks
serenity floating softly
for the fishes that swim there

hand in hand we walk across
this structure that we made
freedom of heart and wisdom of mind
waits on the other side
the iniquities and the dreams
of what could never be
covered with moss on glossy rocks
is all we leave behind

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

ramblings

I wish it was yesterday
I hadn't said what I had to say
I want to take it back
forget what my heart said
sometimes it doesn't think before it speaks

ignore the echoing ramblings
although they bounce off the canyon walls
forget the things you heard
I love you is just words
spewing from a mindless chamber
where it all leaked out between cracks

there is no where to stay
and I feel like I am stuck
between blue sky and pitch dark
nothing to warm me or light my way
I want to take it back
I love you is just words
you never heard

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

some things can never be

I’m not going to climb any higher
it is only further to fall
from something this unsteady

I’m not going to get any stronger
not going to hold on any tighter
to something that’s slipping from me

I’ve disappeared way back in to my mind
and the way things used to be
and that’s what grips me

I’ve finally realized
some emotions can’t be satisfied
and that some things can never be

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

no matter how it shakes

someone's got to go
somethings got to give
this time a heart will break
no matter how it shakes
the earth is going to quake
this time a heart will break
gotta feeling it will be mine

I can read the writing
there upon the wall
hidden deep in shadows
how plainly it is scrawled
no matter how it shakes
the earth is going to quake
this time a heart will break
gotta feeling it will be mine

I didn't see a master plan
if it was all flayed out
a blueprint in advance
I know I didn't stand a chance
no matter how it shakes
the earth is going to quake
this time a heart will break
I know it won't be yours
never put it on the line
I always knew it would be mine

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

in-between

The valley was not always green like the name implied. During the hot summer months and in-between the months of monsoon, my soul would dry and crack like the deep desert washes that surrounded the small little town.

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

Climb

I’m making the climb
It’s not so steep
The valley below me
Green and deep

Must reach the summit
I’ve been there before
Closer to heaven
My spirit will soar
The mountain looms
I’m half way there
No place for footing
Must take more care

Should have used a tether
The climb is precipitous
The perils that face me
Are very ominous
Slowly I go
My footing is sure
Hands are reaching
For places secure

I can see the top
I am very near
Not much longer
Till I am there
Once I reach it
I’ll sit for a while
Enjoying the challenge
And seeing for miles

Going down is easy
Repelling my way back
The climb was the challenge
That keeps me on track

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

floating in the breeze

what once was floats in the breeze
stuck like plastic in the mesquite
it flutters and rattles but goes nowhere
just waves at the wind that put it there
morn and night it stays in place
like the memory of your once sweet face

do you go about your busy day
thinking of all that got away
escaped your clutches, ran and hid
never to come about again
all your fault for relaxing your grip
names seep slowly from your lips

all the claims that you are well
yet your message is what tells
that I creep across your mind
once a day or all the time
too late to play the fiddlers game
it that, in fact, was your true aim

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

Rebel

Sorry, I don't fit
I am not made to conform
Rebel with a cause

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

lover's wine

last night I dreamed a thousand lies 

floating on moonbeams not surmised 

a faceless lover I recognize 

dreams once dreamed that won't survive

only coming forth at night 

breezes lilting. deep green pine 

our bodies flattening a design 

on dense, sweet grass and forest vine 

love heats quickly as we entwine

and you taste a lover's wine 

sunlight hits my opened eyes

revealing all of the night lies 

of a dearly beloved and I 

blazing truth in heart not mind

this broken heart split open wide

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

when

when passion once burned
does re-ignite
thoughts of you
come late at night
a spark once more
from mounds of ash
building a bridge
so love can pass

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

chamber

in a chamber,deep within
buried hopes that now run thin
hidden here inside my heart
dreams that end without a start

close that door, without a lock
if you want in, you need to knock
no sound comes from your clenched fist
just echoes of words
from a very long list

in a chamber, deep within
fantasies that come to an end
a room in my heart
left vacant to let
unoccupied space
that you forget

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

everlasting

I've climbed all the mountains
roamed the desert floor
I do it today, like I've done it before
looking for answers, guidance from above
but there are no solutions, or resolutions
that can save me now

things have been said about things left undone
and it echoes aloud; resonating
a quiet screeching, angels screaming
is it just in my head or in the breeze?
can everyone hear it like me?

I wander unsteady as I stray from Your path
I stumble and falter, rise up and fall back
I thirst for Your truth, Your tree of knowledge
looking for an apple that holds wisdom

weariness comes, mind and body it sweeps
there is not a branch to steady my fall
in fact, there is no one, no shelter from the sun
there is just no protection at all

which way do I go now, show me the way
light a candle in my darkness
shine down on me, let me find peace
I pray for Your salvation everlasting

but Heaven betrays me, 

Hell opens to engage me 

and redemption has just run past

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

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.