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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Kerplunk!

Back on Earth.

About 4a.m.
is when I come back
into my body.
Perhaps it is my breathing
which first signals my return
and alerts my little dog Simon
that it’s time to get up.

I hear Simon drop –
kerplunk! to the floor.
Then I summon the will
to stand and dress
before we must venture
out into the darkness.

Neither of us asks
where the other has been
since our sleepy departure
early last night.

Though Simon and I
often inhabit different worlds,
before we close our eyes
we agree to meet in this one
early every morning.

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