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.
Search tips
Search by title, first line, poem text, book, or type — results appear as you type. Look inside the poems for any word or line, or wrap a phrase in "quotes" to find it exactly. Use the chips and the book menu to narrow things down.
Browse the Twelve Volumes
Brian’s collected pieces, volume by volume.
Gratitude
Shifting my focus
back to me
ends the violence
of imposing my will
on others.
It defines control narrowly,
accepts love unconditionally,
removes judgment
as it returns me to calm.
The rhythmic thumping of my heart
marching toward exhale:
this is the ecstasy,
that the prophets wrote about.
(My beautifully imperfect life,
how is it not intended to be so?)
I belong!
We all belong!
There is only pain
when we deny our humanity,
the bond of love with all of life.
How can I feel anything but gratitude!