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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Kicking and Bucking

Whoa big fella!

I marvel at the grace
of a young man saying yes.
There’s more humility
in his simple acquiescence
than in the congregation
of any established church.

For years I kicked and bucked
whenever I felt a load on my back.
I didn’t want to carry anything,
least of all, expectations.

Bucking and kicking.
Bucking and kicking.
Then bucking some more.

It went on like that for years
until life kicked back,
finally breaking my back
with a fierce blow to the heart.

Something easy happens
whenever a man says yes.
His heart begins to grow
and he will embrace anything
that doesn’t grab him first.

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