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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No Power (in Jackson, Mississippi)

The power grid fails at 3am
right where I’m staying.
My uneasiness comes on
when the lights go out.
There’s not much to do
so I take in the pitch darkness.

Maybe there’s too little power
in everything I take for granted,
like the hot water for my tea,
the bright city lights,
or the companionship of my phone.

The darkness and relative stillness mingle
beginning to create within me
a much deeper calm,
as I return to a peaceful sleep.

Like so many things in life,
I learn more without power,
than in all the years
I’ve taken it for granted.

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