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

Those Who Survive

...must be able to adapt.

Those who survive
will be strong and resilient,
uniquely able to tolerate
a harsh and inhospitable climate.
Their DNA will resist
the degenerative effects
of all the synthetic chemicals
spilled upon this planet.
And they will be mentally tough
as they toil for existence
while struggling to heal the scars
from a devastating machine
fueled by our fear and greed.

I want these people to know
we have glimpsed their future,
and there are those among us
much softer and willing to suffer
the great pains of change
with the hope life may continue
for all plants and animals.

We know from experience
there is and will be no utopia,
except for that space within
where we cultivate acceptance
through peace and love.

Published in