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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Another Departure

There is no avoiding my pain
and yet I try.
There is some consolation in knowing this
even more in the way struggling binds me
to my humanity,
to all of life.

Today I leave my home again,
saying goodbye to my parents,
wishing my friends well,
thanking all the familiar people.
I am not
I could not
without them.

Equally difficult
is to remain
fixed.
My hometown grounds me
then pushes me away
a gateway to a larger world.

I pray only
that I follow a calling,
going forth to spread and to find love,
never turning away from those who need me.