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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Forgiveness

Holding the pain is like running
with a handful of water,
wetness evaporating on the pavement, or joining the soil.

Feet in the mud I stand strong against the breeze,
add compassion to my list of names,
call my tormenters to task with gratitude,
exalted by the blood gushing out of my heart.

First a vacuous silence,
then a chorus of shrieking Harpies,
next a rock speaks to me, and then a bird calls my name.
A hand reaches out for me, another and then another.
I grab fingers, hands, wrists, forearms, shoulders, torsos.
We embrace.
I am human.
I am alive.
I am forgiven.