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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Big Bend

I took that photo -
the one of the sun rising above
the Santiago Mountains
some lovely morning in June ‘14.

I like the way the camera captured the light
just as it flooded into the valley below,
blinding me and thousands of nervous hares
scattered amidst the silent cacti and ancient rocks.

How I came to love the contrast of blue sky,
orange sun and brown earth!
This is where I learned the meaning of patience.
Those rocks taught me what words could not.

What a strange and amazing land
this dusty mausoleum -
now a tomb for fossilized ocean creatures;
a landscape painted by a faraway fire,
both generous and unforgiving.