The Collected Writings of Brian J. Mueller

A single poem, met at the right moment, can change a life.

Search and read all 1,834 pieces by Brian J. Mueller — 1,675 poems, 38 prose pieces, and 121 haiku from 12 published volumes. Free to read and share.

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30-40-50

We are all light and shadow.

At thirty I celebrated,
glad to give up my youth,
it having already dragged on too long
for no reason other than to conform.

At forty I stared
hopelessly into the middle distance,
until I was compelled to change
by the dark wisdom of death
urging me to let go.

As fifty looms up ahead,
I ponder the lessons I will learn
and welcome the opportunity
to experience joy outside of myself
as my soul emerges from the shadows.

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