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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Baked

...into bread for others.

Everyday I must resist
the hardening happening
in this large oven
I call my life.

Things happen for good reason.
Things happen for no reason.
Regardless, I can count on time
to dispel my convictions.

When it’s sunny I look into water
to see myself and the blue sky.
When it’s cloudy I look into water
to see what’s swimming beneath.

Today I pray to be baked,
but only to a soft perfection,
so I may then become
like bread for others,
palatable and life-affirming.

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