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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Reservoir Man

There’s an inflammation in my tear gland.

It’s true
a man will cry
not knowing exactly
what he’s crying about.
The fact that he hasn’t cried
in many, many years
means there are ample tears
stored deep in the chambers
of his heavy, heavy heart.

Perhaps he fears
all those stored tears
and the great release
which would most assuredly drain
that great reservoir of pain
he’s come to rely upon
in this dry and hostile world.

If he cries he may die,
and must then ask himself,
Now what?

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