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.

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The Shadow Knows

...is not just an idiom.

I keep ‘em clean,
polish them a little
and make ‘em safe –
my poems –
not just for you,
but for me,
for my reputation
and peace of mind.

If I consent,
life will pull me
right into my shadow
where light bends
trailing off at odd angles.

In the shadows is where
fear speaks to me harshly
with wet expletives
breaking me into halves –
the one I know and protect
the other I hopelessly reject.

Thus far I’ve managed
to keep these pages clean;
not for you,
for me.

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