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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Conformity

...is killing us.

It’s not quite the same
as going along to get along.
Rather, it’s going along
to get our just desserts.

I can’t possibly be
the only one struggling
to stay in lockstep with
this ridiculous beat.

Have you asked yourself,
why do I do what I do,
and is it even worth doing?

Aren’t we all drawn
toward the oddballs?
We can’t help but notice
they don’t quite fit in.

Maybe they secretly wish
to be like everyone else.
But wouldn’t we rather be free
from our burden to conform?