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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Shock Doctrine

Let’s make lots of money.

The Shock Doctrine says
that no tragedy or catastrophe,
whether natural or otherwise,
ought to be wasted.

Rather, each is an opportunity
to be exploited for dramatic
economic and social change.

Think flood and famine,
hurricane and earthquake,
wars and pandemics,
and the easiest to exploit:
economic collapse.

What will happen
in the days, weeks, months
following a great disaster
all depends on who sees it
as a disguised opportunity,
and what they hope to achieve.

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