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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Cults

...are everywhere.

We live in a cult called country.
We often gather in cults
at sporting events and churches.
Families are still smaller cults,
and our rituals and addictions,
especially those shrouded in secrecy,
have become the cult of self.

A childish understanding of cults
goes no further than secret societies,
and mysterious zealots in long robes
stealing away to meet by firelight.

Of course not all cults are bad.
Many may serve a good purpose.
But like other human constructs,
cults are no more permanent
than rain falling in the desert,
and can offer us little insight
into the true nature of belonging.

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