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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Plutocrats

I have a couple of degrees,
neither of which grants me the right
to stand in righteous judgment
of those without a diploma.

I am no longer certain
what education even means
in our world of analytical processes,
pound sterling and plutocrats.

Every conversation has become
this single monosyllabic order:
More!
MORE!
EVEN MORE!

So I’ve got a degree,
which means my stick is a little bigger
than the stick others may be holding,
yet it’s still not as big
as the stick of those upon whom
I sharpen my resentment.

Who am I to judge?
Who are you to judge me?
While we chase each other,
the plutocrats fortify their private islands.

She can only get to work
as fast as the bus will take her.
He can only go as far
as his last tank of gas.
I can only ask,
where the hell is it we’re going?

There are nice people
everywhere.
There are hardworking people
everywhere.
There are earnest and moral people
everywhere.
There is nothing more for me to say
right here…

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