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 Sound of Silence

...is filled with soulful voices.

The poetess Meisaan tells me,
God does not close doors to opportunities,
but rather closes them to our excuses.(1)

Then Laozi warns me
not to pick up and wield a weapon,
that in violence every victory is a funeral.(2)

Next Henri laments the world at large,
poised on the brink of nuclear holocaust,
yet finds optimism in so many hope-filled hearts.(3)

I think Hafiz may be right,
we are at a very low tide,
but the water will come back.(4)

While Aquinas is quick to remind me,
we are all madly in love
with the same God.(5)

And from Rumi comes my soul’s voice:
When union happens, my speech goes inward,
towards Shams...
When school and mosque and minaret
get torn down, the dervishes
can begin their community.(6)

(1) Meisaan Chan - Curving Toward the Center - July 17
(2) Laozi - Tao: 31st Verse
(3) Henri Nouwen, You Are The Beloved, July 23
(4) Hafiz, Why All This Talk?, trans. Daniel Ladinsky
(5) Thomas Aquinas - Attributed Poetry
(6) Rumi, A Year With Rumi, trans. Coleman Barks

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