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.

Search tips

Search by title, first line, poem text, book, or type — results appear as you type. Look inside the poems for any word or line, or wrap a phrase in "quotes" to find it exactly. Use the chips and the book menu to narrow things down.

← All poems

The Path of Descent

Ten years and counting...

Ten years ago
I made a wise choice,
with my only remaining option
being to turn my will over
to the God of my limited
understanding.

I told myself euphemistically
this would be an inspiring jaunt,
and I smiled brightly as I waited
to be lifted light as a feather,
on a breeze of serenity.

My path began on a Thursday,
at an old limestone church
in a gentrifying neighborhood
of a well-known Texas town.

I parked beneath
a great moon tower,
the arc lights now replaced
by blinding halogens.

Then I entered the church
through an inconspicuous door,
and followed a dark hallway
until I saw a glowing room.

Inside, I found empty chairs
inviting the weary and wary
to begin the long journey
on the path of descent.

Published in