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 Long Relationship

...has many secrets to share.

“There were others,
three others to be exact.
But his wife of seventeen years
was the only woman able
to nail him down.”

I raise my glass
and salute the happy couple,
but soon begin shaking my head,
recalling those damned promises
presented to me like the gospel
for my own life and marriage.

I seize this opportunity,
presented in a familiar scene,
to reflect on my past relationships,
yet only discover exit strategies
and a much younger man
unable to surrender.