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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Bedeviled

...by my so-called moral life.

I am bedeviled
by the idea of too much,
as others must be
by too little.

I crave balance
between needs and wants,
as I cling to the razor’s edge,
so close and always ready
to peel away the flesh veneer
on my so-called moral life.

How can I convince you
of my overwhelming thirst
when you see me drowning
in a sea of human bounty?

I already know -
I have too much.

I already know -
I do too much.

I already know -
I can’t live perfectly.

And I already know -
it’s okay not to know.