all along

in the light of this new day
where dreams of yesterday
fade softly away
past is the doubt
the hapless thoughts
sealed with tape
the oblong  box

hidden deep are the old scars
packed inside a chambered heart
no room for all of those old things
never were they what they seemed
learning from the same mistakes
waiting longer
growing stronger
bandaged by your love

why would I ever want to look back?
when I was not on the right track
with one headlight I drove away
Jakob’s words in my mind played
over and over I played your song
and still I knew it all along

Pandora's Box

you opened your eyes 

but closed your mind 

oblivious to dreams

I kept inside 

you saw the package 

but not the treasure 

all of those late nights 

we were together 

you spent the passion 

but saved your heart 

keeping those two things 

far, far apart 

nothing ever ventured,

 nothing ever gained 

so good at keeping

it all self-contained 

you pulled the ribbon 

on Pandora's box 

you twisted the key 

in a rusty lock 

you wound the toy 

just a little too tight 

leaving in haste 

before the dawn's light 

I thought I had it 

under control 

I could play the game 

and you'd never know 

you were much smarter 

than I had first thought 

you saw the ruse 

right from the start 

gently, you tried 

to let me down 

distancing me 

with silent sounds 

what you couldn't see--

failed to understand

 I knew your game 

but couldn't outrun your plan 

you pulled the ribbon 

on Pandora's box

you twisted the key 

in a rusty lock 

you wound the toy 

just a little too tight 

leaving in haste 

before the dawn's light 

I could see your future 

but not play a part 

you weren't really honest;

that wasn't our start

I knew there was another, 

but not the connection 

you had already promised 

your love and affection 

so as we go forward 

with an uneasy truce 

bury what's dead 

between me and you

no tourniquet will stop 

my bleed you'll agree

you didn't promise 

to be what I need

you asked me once

if the wound was still deep 

you can figure that out 

in this song if you read 

what starts with white lies, 

ends sadly with truth

it ebbs and then flows 

with each phase of the moon 

you pulled the ribbon 

on Pandora's box 

you twisted the key 

in a rusty lock 

you wound the toy 

just a little too tight 

leaving in haste 

before the dawn's light 

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

child

I didn't ask for a pedestal
that's too far to fall
I didn't ask to move mountains
or for anything at all
from the day that you were born
right up to this new hour
I've always done my best
so, you'd know you were loved

I know that I'm not perfect
though you wanted me to be
I know I've made mistakes
and that's all you can see
what a parent does for a child
those things I did for you
I did them from my heart
you know that this is true

I know I didn't deserve
all the hurtful things you said
maybe look inside
at the good things there instead
the special bond we have
the umbilical never cut
it will never wear out
or could ever be used up

I didn't ask for a pedestal
that's too far to fall
I didn't ask to move mountains
or for anything at all
from the day that you were born
right up to this new hour
I've never put conditions
on any part of my love

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

phases

the moon moves through its phases

nonchalant and slow 

each one pulls upon me 

like the tide washing on my shore 

when I think the cleanse has come

from the salty brine 

the crescent comes 

and shines its face 

with the memories that remind

laying on the sandy beach 

starring at the stars 

wondering how I landed here 

my heart on a sandbar

the bottle that I corked and threw 

into this vast green sea 

drifts out for just a little while 

then always returns to me

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

walk away

I walk away from yesterday
turn my back on all that's gray
the guitar that strums increasing pain
standing in the pouring rain
what seems priceless has a cost
what I have gained, what I have lost

against the tide I'm about to go under
the current strong I fight lost wonder
dolphins swimming all around
consuming tides don't save me now
I float but I just can't swim free
from all the pain encompassing me

I felt the breeze and heard the thunder
the lightning flash so close I shudder
everything that I once held true
all begins and ends with you
like sand drips through the hour glass
what will stay strong and what won't last

the moon drifts quickly through all of its phases
shining on all of the unseen places
resurrecting dreams that grew
unforeseen from what I knew
sandcastles hidden in the fog
reminiscent of what went wrong

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

devil's disciple

in the final analysis 

where the sun meets the horizon 

behind the mountains looming 

and saguaro with their wisdom 

the breeze kicks up the dust 

making an eerie funnel

and the roaring in your ears 

sounds like you're in a tunnel 

you didn't keep a list 

with columns for right or wrong 

you didn't weigh the options 

or think about it too long

another devil's disciple 

with a backpack on the ground

grabbing hold of both straps  

you drag it all around 

you didn't apologize 

for the person you became

to those you left behind

all pawns in a bigger game 

with hope in your left hand 

and freedom in your right 

you're rushing towards your future 

on the darkest of all nights 

I gave you all I could

it never counted for much 

words I offered to encourage

that didn't become your crutch 

the hanging judge bangs his gavel 

and sends you out this day 

with a candle for forgiveness

but no match to light your way

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

original sin

we danced for just a while 

you bared all in your soul 

telling me the plans you made 

before you had to go

little of me did you learn 

as all of your dreams spilled forth 

I tried hard to hold on 

but the road had many forks 

secrets of a mysterious life 

you kept them to yourself 

guarding the little white lies 

boxed high upon the shelf 

mornings after many nights

I woke to find you gone 

I knew your distant devil 

was draggin' you along 

you pack in the original sin 

with your list for all you yearn 

hold me tight just one last time

on my forehead your lips burn

you swore you were heading for happiness

and for wanting you had no shame 

I loved you when you left me 

and I will never be the same 

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

Spirit In Prose

I love your mind
The things that you say
The way they are expressed

Deep, dark feelings
That come from your soul
Your spirit in prose

The way that you think
Composed in your style
With your special gift

The words that you left
Written on the wind
But locked in my heart

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

promise

look beyond the dream
to where you'd least expect
look beyond the fantasy
for whom you'd least suspect

write my name in kisses
each one a twinkling star
pull the moon from heaven
to gift wrap our sweet love

blow some gentle breezes
to sweetly ruffle my hair
lay me down with promise
stay always with me there

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

2024

another year is put to rest
365 that I was blessed
loves one near and babies far
two days travel in a car

you and I alone this night
snow capped mountains in our sights
moon shines bright on this last eve
fire and wine for you and me

tree is down and packed away
nothing to do on this cold day
watch the ball drop in the square
2024 is in the air

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

atrium of my heart

the prayers I said while on the beach
the closest place to Heaven for me
You are so close, I feel you there
Your grace shining everywhere

I look for truths, talk out loud
shedding openly of this shroud
plead redemption to impart
this shattered atrium of my heart

answers come from my request
not what I wanted but for the best
what I find is what I seek
and this truth will set me free

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

for all to see

guided by fireflies and the pale moon's light
you carve our love in a tree with your knife
initials and a heart left for all to see
deep in the meadow where you loved me

grass from our bed flatten amongst other blades
there in that forest where memories were made
the stars were the blanket in a soft velvet night
the nightingale hushed by each uttered sigh

the tree stands still, a tall leafy oak
shadowing the grasses where love lay with hope
and there carved deeply in the trunk of that tree
is a heart with initials left for all to see

(this is photoshopped, no trees were harmed)


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

poetry to my heart

I like it when you say I'm beautiful

or in your words, "that I'm hot" 

I like it that you say you love me 

more than all of the baggage you've got

I like it when you say you missed me 

but not only when the shower runs

I like it that you are  fussing

before our day has begun 

I like it that you try to find time 

to squeeze me into your day 

I'd like it if you were closer 

so you could show me in more ways 

all of these things a gal needs to hear 

it's validation of all that we are 

and when I see it in your eyes 

it's like poetry to my heart 

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

carried away

like a feather that floats on a gentle breeze
or birds singing songs in the green mesquite
like a cloud drifting by on a clear, blue day
this feeling I have is carrying me away

like the nighttime sky with all its stars
the big, full moon that glows from afar
like the heart that pounds from the words you say
this feeling I have is carrying me away

carried away by that look in your eyes
didn't take too long for me to realize
for all to see, like a painting by Monet
this love for you carries me away

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

once a soldier

once a soldier, a brother a spouse
a father, a buyer, the head of a house
one winter month on a Valentine's day
a very long time since you went away

a son, a lover, an ornery pest
a fixer, destroyer like some of the rest
blamed it on battles, long over; hard fought
scars there are many from turmoil they brought

a legacy of anger and one of despair
a legion of others who've also been there
a memory that lives, well instilled in a child
maybe not deserved, but given with smiles
Poetry by M.J.B. is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 3.0 United States License

oil from a well

it was much harder than you might think
to say the things I bottled up deep
gushing from me, like oil from a well
too late to retrieve, or un-ring that bell

you drifted from reason, space to space
reading my thoughts; lacking in grace 
this doesn't rhyme, but it is all real
it's the way I think and how I feel

when I look back, coming out of the fog
wandering, isolated, all thoughts now jogged
I contemplated all the words that you spoke
but only heard the ones you chastely wrote

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

renaissance man

comfortable in jeans and boots
leather and helmet
waders and cap 
suit and tie

handsome in all 

a man of many talents
master of them all
well read, cultured
connoisseur of music and cigars 

soft spoken, soft touch 

a true renaissance man
in every since of the word
a man's man
every woman's dream

my wish come true 

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

useless things

in the corner or under the bed
that very place I lay my head

the day is done and out goes the light
things go bumping in my night

I thought I had them all at bay
thoughts I manage during the day
but out they wander one by one
those ideas I thought once fun

comes the dawn and there they go
back in the corner like dirty clothes
shaking the sleepiness from my head
tossed and turned from thoughts well read

grab the coffee and fill my cup
it's still early, I'm the only one up
looking at you still fast asleep
dreams seem real but talk ain't cheap

wondering if you have those thoughts
of all the ones that are now lost
deep in memories that can't come out
I wish they'd dry up like a drought

it's not that I would ever go back
or run to you with all you lacked
times are better but still I think
of you sometimes and useless things

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

king for a day

don't talk to me of circumstance
Of useless things after we once danced
there is no time or one more chance
once you slayed me with your lance

on you move to newer things
better times is what it brings
while loving songs your heart may sing
feeling like a once crowned king

the crown may tarnish if your head does dip

you bow your head and off it slips

do you feign amazement or come to grips?

when at last your title is stripped

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

CHRISTMAS

Calling up the reasons
Happiness all around
Reaching deep and giving
Into hearts unbound
Sealing all the cards
To get them there on time
Making all the cookies
A favorite of mine
Season of spirit and hope

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

Christmas in the desert

snow up on the mountains
but none down here below
it doesn't stop the spirit
Christmas will still glow
a yule log on the fire
to keep the chill away
while we open presents
and celebrate the day
it still is kind of silly
to see snowmen on the street
and all those electric reindeer
once a Midwest treat
Christmas in the desert
the best that I have known
traditions I brought with me
Christmas spirit still aglow

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

fireside

love displayed by fireside
burning passion in the night
flickering glow on moistened skin
fire burning from within
with each touch that does excite
verses to the poem we write
winter snow falls soft and white
love that flows with each soft sigh

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

this place

a glimmer of light that shines in my dark

 a candle lit with novena said

like a child at Christmas I feel the wonder 

of all you offer to me 

you, the umbrella that keeps me dry 

the hand I hold when I'm afraid 

blocking out the noise of thunder 

your laughter like my favorite song 

soft and warm I feel your breath 

back to chest upon my neck

arms enfold around me tight 

the sleep of angels comes at last 

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

too much slack

when it all falls apart
what wasn't built to last
what we thought was love
sped by way too fast
the here and the now
that brought us to this place
where heaven is closed
and we've used up its grace

the tries and retries
that just didn't ring true
you were counting on me
but I couldn't pull us through
sometimes it just gets way out of hand
you'd had enough--then turned your back
no matter how hard I pulled and I tugged
I got rope burns from taking in slack

as it all falls apart
cause it wasn't built to last
what we thought was love
sped by way too fast
the here and the now
that brought us to this place
where heaven is closed
and we've used up its grace

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

explorer

an explorer--trudging through the here and now 

picking up what works and stowing it in my knapsack 

tossing away the discrepancies of what doesn't 

a coward--wondering about what might have been 

backpack-- empty; except for dreams

that never see the light of day

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