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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Browse the Twelve Volumes
Brian’s collected pieces, volume by volume.
Prayer Flag
Let this poem be my prayer flag –
my wind-torn,
sun-faded,
thread-bare,
prayer flag.
I almost said, “Fuck all!”
and joined the army.
I almost said, “Yes”
to the grand bargain –
my life for the dollar.
Yes, I cursed women.
I feared the feminine.
But secretly my soul wanted only
to be devoured by her beauty.
The cure for me came by night.
I woke in barren lands –
nothing but rock
and relentless sun.
Apollo’s kingdom denies life,
as it pushes towards the heavens.
Had I stayed there,
I would’ve died from thirst.
My life has become
lighter and brighter
now that I’ve awakened
from my fever dream.