Monday, August 5, 2024

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

Friday, August 2, 2024

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
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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
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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

Saturday, July 27, 2024

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
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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
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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

RAJ

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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 

Friday, July 26, 2024

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 

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