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 Perfectionist

I’m afraid others see only
my anger and frustration,
the pain imperfection causes me,
	and what must seem
like bottomless disappointment.

Those closest to me know best
the way injustice fuels my fire,
	and how difficult it is
for me to resist unsheathing
the fine steel in my words.

Seeing the world
as it should be,
	rather than as it is,
has hardened me,
drained my energy,
diminished the vibrancy
	of what I could see,
and set me up to become
	a cynical old man.

But this is not my fate and
not the invitation of my life.
My soul has another plan.

Now I pray daily
	to be at peace in the world
	to remember to breath steadily
	to live in a posture of surrender.