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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Birkenstock

An ode to gratitude.

Those sandals sitting there,
looking good for their age,
are now quite comfortable,
contoured perfectly to my feet.

I did not make them,
but wear them every day
regardless of the weather,
and without any worry
about my appearance.

Those sandals are a gift
from the sacrificial cow
who provided the leather,
from the skilled worker
who expertly sewed them,
from my mother who asked,
“What would you like
for your birthday?”