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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Straight Lines

Walk the line.

What is it
wishing to convince me
a straight line exists?

Nothing is straight,
least of all the thread I follow
and will forever confuse
with my real life.

These past few hours
have bent me effortlessly
around the face of a clock.
Yet I still dream about tomorrow,
ignoring my life shouting
from just around the corner:
Today!

I recall ancient places
where everything is overgrown
and perfect lines decay overnight.
These images haunted me as a child
and now return often,
wagging a crooked finger
whenever I try to follow
the straight and narrow.