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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A Day Off

Let’s use some of those coins
we’ve been saving for later
to buy ourselves a day off.
Everyone needs a break
for some fiddle-farting
and lounging away from work.

When was it resting became an activity,
wherein there’s money to be made
and things we must do?

The truth is subtle.
We become what we believe,
and are soon carried away
by the momentum of our desires,
like the unholy fear of death
which only serves to elevate
our hectic pursuit of survival.

Democracy is crumbling,
financial markets are surging,
our work is too demanding,
and our phones are forever beeping
while our relationships are decaying.

It seems to me like the perfect time
to take a day,
or maybe two or three,
off.