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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My Soul Lifts

...when I let go.

The very real strain
of carrying way too much
responsibility for rectifying
the state of the human world
has long burdened my soul
and kept me sober.

Pause to rejoice
if you ever find me
laughing and drinking,
as such silly activities
have always seemed
like mere distractions.

For so long I’ve despised
and judged even more harshly,
those appearing unable or unwilling
to undertake a bit of introspection
for the benefit of everyone else.

But who am I to decide?

The only way I will lighten up
is by letting go of everything
over which I have no control.