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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False Labor

I heard more
and learned more
than I’d expected
from the woman ahead of me
at the grocery.

She tells the clerk
about her six hours of false labor
on Saturday morning.
The clerk nods knowingly,
as she too has delivered a child.

Then she notices me and smiles,
seems a little bit embarrassed.
Yet I am intrigued,
so I say nothing
and listen carefully
to the two women
speaking matter-of-factly
about their experiences
in bringing forth a life.

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