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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Obligation

It seems to be written in stone.

Sometimes and to someone
we feel a weighty obligation.

Grabbing hold of this sensation
we can trace the source
to a thick and twisting vine,
finding it buried deep within
our culture and our family history,
and so close to our foundation
it makes any new understanding
seem dangerous or outright impossible.

These burdensome obligations
with their binding words –
should, must, need and ought –
grow thicker and heavier
in darkness and the passing years.
Slowly they suffocate, then drain
the blood out of a loving heart.
With cunning and our acquiescence
they take root in each generation.

Finding the source of our obligations
may require us to suffer
over long periods of time,
and perhaps also seek a gardener
who can help us to begin
weeding out all those things
obligation compels us to do
from the gifts we hold in our soul
and so deeply want to share.

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