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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Gut Check

All systems go...

A quick gut check –
all’s still there.
I can feel my hunger,
along with my anxiety,
just churning away,
hurrying me toward this day.

But I can’t find depression,
he’s nowhere to be found.
Though I do expect angst
will likely worry
about depression’s inevitable return.

Happiness and joy
are a little more elusive.
They move quickly
and show up anywhere –
my eyes, my mouth, my arms,
or the tiny hairs on my neck.

Love also lives here
and, along with hope, is
the biggest part of me.
She moans and groans
when trouble comes,
but also keeps me open
to the mystery called God.

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