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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Prickly People

...I know ’em so well.

Twice a year I give thanks
for all the prickly people in my life.
Some of them came into life that way,
and I guess others got unlucky.

But now here they all are,
one finger always poking at me
while they go about their business
in annoying detail or utter sloppiness.

I can never quite tell
if they’re coming or going
because they clog the roads
and slow down our progress.

They ask stupid questions,
are ready to believe anyone,
and tragically seem to lack
the common sense of a potato.

They live on the coasts
and also in the mountains.
But I fear the majority dwell
right here in my neighborhood.

These prickly people are everywhere.
They went to the same schools as me,
cheer for the same teams as me,
and complain about the same things.

I know these prickly people so well
because I am one of them.