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 Real Thing

...is embodied experience.

There are many things
which can only be known
through experience.

Explanations and metaphors
eventually are exposed
as the threadbare best
anyone can possibly offer
in place of the real thing.

Sunrise in the mountains,
freedom on the open road,
resisting a swift current,
standing before an audience,
the death of a loved one,
your first, very first kiss –

all mean so much more
to the embodied soul
than they ever could
to even the most earnest
of intent listeners.

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