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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Be Patient

...fire will find you.

It’s so hard to sit
and become still
when you’re young
and full of that stuff
that pushes the trees
up toward the heavens,
that moves the mountains
along their rolling trajectory,
that sends a bird instinctively
on a journey thousands of miles long.

Do whatever you must do
to garner life experience
and the wisdom it offers.
But remember also to listen
to the irritating old women
who still love you dearly
despite seeing your kind
countless times before.

Heed them when they warn:

Don’t go lookin’ for fire.
Fire will find you.