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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The Narrowing

Time to refocus.

When I look ahead
and see the road narrowing,
I know it’s time to slow down
and to move more deliberately.

I despise sloth and indecision,
yet the shrinking path
requires my patience and
perhaps additional consideration.

More and more I’m realizing
why it frightens me so
to slow my movement and
glance over my shoulder.

It’s at this narrowing
that I must now allow
those to pass in front
with whom I can no longer
keep the pace.