Brian’sPoems

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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Cassandra Complex

...seeing things others may not wish to...

I heard a wise man,
a well-regarded teacher
and spiritual leader,
confess he can often see
the problem in something
without even trying.

My heart skipped
and I lost my breath
upon hearing these words.

Me too, I thought.
That’s exactly how I feel:
Like the priestess Cassandra,
who was cursed by an angry Apollo
for thwarting his sexual advances,
with having the power of prophesy,
and yet no one would believe her.

And perhaps this teacher
would also warn me
that seeing the problem
is really more of a curse,
if first I don’t concede
there’s truth and beauty
in almost everything.

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