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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Serenity Salesmen

...sell sanctuary.

I’m a lousy salesman.
I sell serenity
but haven’t closed a sale
to a single soul.

Maybe the price is too great.
Billionaires can’t buy it.
You pay for it with blood
lost during the daily trials
of an honest life.

But just bleeding isn’t enough.
You’ve got to weep for your losses,
and in night after endless night,
sleeplessly sweat out your anger.

Have I sold you yet?

Don’t pay any attention to the way
my needless worry has aged me.

Serenity doesn’t require
a young body,
the right job,
the right house,
the right spouse,
the right anything.

All that I can offer you
is my personal testimony.