(c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley
(#139)
snow in hut shadow
bitter heart
refuses to melt
…..
(#140)
abandoned nest
filled with drifted snow
sorrow incubates
…..
(#141)
frozen tracks
my past waits for me
up the road
…..
(#142)
frigid pond
thirsty fox waits in the woods
as I break the ice
…..
(#143)
chilly winter breaths
heron, kitsune and I
speak common tongue
…..
(#144)
no sun no moon
earth in funeral wrappings
all hope is lost
Brilliant collection, Mike. Loved each piece. #140 really touched me. Wonderful work.π
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Thanks so much, Grace. You’re always so kind and I appreciate it. Glad you liked these. π
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Loved it.My pleasure.π
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Your haiku collections are always amazing. #141 spoke to me. I’m glad you write this well, Mike. Keep up the good work. π
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Thanks, Lamittan. I appreciate your kind words and I’m glad you enjoyed these. Overall, it’s quite a somber bunch of haiku, but when you write from the heart, sorrow is bound to manifest itself now and then. In my case, it’s all too frequent, but it helps clear my mind for a while. I truly appreciate your support, my friend. π
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Sure, it’s indubitably true that writings that come from the heart reveal our feelings and beliefs. Feel most welcome, Mike.
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Hi Mike, Another great collection. 141 is one of my favorites. Early this week I spend some time in the woods follow frozen muskrat tracks in a streambed. Not exactly the same image as what you were going for, but it made me think of that.
frozen in time
a meandering path
where were you going
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Hey, Mark. Thanks for the nice comment. Glad you liked this one. Your muskrat adventure sounds like the perfect experience to have on a winter day! And your haiku about the tracks is profound and seems to ask the universal question of where are we going? What is our purpose here? I like the imagery your haiku evokes and man, I can see those muskrat tracks in the snow! Well done, good sir! π
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All of them are brilliantly written , I liked all but 139 , speaks to me wellβ€οΈ
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Thank you, Reena. I’m happy you liked these. Your kind words are always appreciated! π
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Beautiful, as always, Mike. That last one is wonderfully dark.
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Thanks, Diana. I’ve always felt winter was funereal in so many ways, and for those of us with depression and SAD, this time of year feels hopeless at times. It’s a dark little piece, that’s for sure. I’m so glad you liked these. Here’s hoping 2022 will be good to you (and all of us). π
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I’m a SAD sufferer too, Mike. I count the minutes of returning light. (And I have a Sunbox, which helps). Then there’s a part of me that loves the morose gloom too. It’s great for writing. Ha ha. Happy 2022.
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Brilliantly done, Mike. 142 and 144 were my stand out favorites of the collection.
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Hey, Rhyan. Thanks for the nice comment. Glad you found these appealing. Personally, I really like #144 as well. It’s so dark but it says a lot about how I feel during the winter months. I appreciate the read, good sir, and cheers for the new year! I hope 2022 treats you well. π
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My absolute pleasure, Mike. Here’s to a fresh start in 2022 with renewed energy, peace and prosperity throughout the New Year!
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I really liked the first one – and the first two lines of the second were so sharp and clear. Happy New Year – hope you write more beautiful stuff next year
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Thanks so much for such a kind comment. It’s a wonderful way to ring in the new year. I’m glad you enjoyed these (despite my current “Winter is Hell” haiku theme! π ). I really appreciate it. I look forward to reading more of your new work this coming year as well. You’re an incredibly gifted writer. Cheers for the new year and I hope 2022 is good to you! π
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Love all of them! Number 140 is pure brilliance! I find it hauntingly beautiful that nothing but sorrow can hatch out of empty nests! Ingenious, Mike!
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Thanks, Aasysid. The image of the abandoned nest filled with snow made a powerful symbolic statement to me. Such stark sadness… Thanks for your kind words. I’m happy you enjoyed this one. π
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Beautiful! It is always a pleasure.π
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