“A Few Haiku (31)”

On By Mike U.In Poetry

(c) 2022 by Michael L. Utley

(#181)

three chickadees…
winter’s ellipsis as earth
pauses in thought

…..

(#182)

winter cattails
frozen tiki torches glow
in silver moon-fire

…..

(#183)

in night’s cold silence
old snow-laden branch succumbs
too many winters

…..

(#184)

warmth and light and love
all the world’s hope resides
in my glowing hearth

…..

(#185)

messenger moon
conveys hope to my lost love
through the years and tears

…..

(#186)

light in the darkness
dawn of hope or setting sun
I cannot decide

34 thoughts on ““A Few Haiku (31)””

    1. Hey, David. Thanks for the kind feedback. Usually, I sit down and write a batch of six in one sitting, which varies in duration depending on inspiration (1-2 hours on average). This usually results in some sort of theme (intentional or otherwise) running through a particular batch. This bunch was spread out over several days due to hitting a wall recently, so I added one or two as they appeared in my head. This particular one (#186) was written shortly before I posted this collection. I find writing haiku (and tanka) tends to give my mind a rest between longer poems, and thank goodness for that because when I hit a wall, it’s hard to think of anything longer than three lines! 🙂 I appreciate your kind words and support so much. Thanks a bunch! 🙂

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  3. I’d always prefer a dawn of hope. The sun and its light are irreplaceable. That feeling of warmth, that mood of brightness. Oh spring and summer please come our way. I love how your words give winter the cold shoulder. Haha! Great writing, Mike. 🙂

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    1. Thank you kindly, Terveen. I think I prefer a dawn of hope, too. There’s so much going on in the world right now that creates so much uncertainty, it’s hard to have much hope that things will improve. I hope for the best. This world needs a new dawn right about now. So glad you found these pleasing to you. It means a lot to me. 🙂

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  5. You writing of the haiku type of poetry is commendable, my brother. Good exploitation of imagery. “winter cattails, frozen tiki torches glow in silver moon-fire.” What a gorgeous write. The power of a creative pen is manifest. Thumbs-up, my brother. 🤗😊

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    1. Thank you, Xenia. I had a sudden onset of positivity, I reckon! 😀 I just imagined how wonderful it is to stare into a roaring fireplace on a cold winter’s night and how it makes everything seem okay, at least for awhile. We had a wood-burning stove in the farmhouse where I was raised. It wasn’t quite the same as a fireplace, but whenever I’d add wood to the fire, it was such a feeling of calmness and contentment seeing those glowing embers and feeling the warmth radiating from the split logs. Thanks for your kind words, as always. Much appreciated. 🙂

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  9. those are soothing meditating quotations that really speak to your readers’ like me. The last one actually gives the hint to the answers to all the other ones: “dawn of hope or setting sun” they are both mesmerizingly enlightening as they both called “twilight” (the light in the darkness”. Love them all!

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    1. Your interpretations are always fresh and enlightening. The ambiguity of “light in the darkness” can lean towards hope or despair. Twilight is fascinating and such an introspective period, whether it’s early morning or late evening. When I had back surgery years ago, I would go on pre-dawn and sunset walks as part of my recuperation. I experienced the sunrise and sunset every day and had plenty of time to think as the sun lay low on the horizon of woods and farmland and distant mountains. This particular collection contains varied emotions as its writing was spread out over several days. #186 sort of wraps things up and allows the reader to decide which emotions prevail. Either way, as you put it so well, twilight is “mesmerizingly enlightening.” and so beautifully symbolic. Thanks for your kind words as always. I’m glad you enjoyed these. 🙂

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    1. Thanks so much, Jeff. Yes, #183 is relevant to me for the reasons you mentioned, too. Sometimes I feel like that over-laden branch, bearing so much weight at this late date. Thanks for your kind words as always–they’re so appreciated. 🙂

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    1. Thanks so much for your kind words, Jane. I’m glad you enjoyed this one. It was deliberately ambiguous so one could ponder how it applied to one’s life. Ultimately, I believe we all seek out the light of hope in the darkness, but it’s difficult at times to see that light in a confusing world. I appreciate your nice comment. 🙂

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  12. Yes, I agree. In today’s confusing world common man is lost. You know, there have been pandemics before, but our grandparents didn’t have a smart phone.They only heard about the pandemic on the radio. They were not in contact with the world but they still lived.I don’t know your situation but here our country is holding elections. I had to attend training when there was no social distance. If we take this negatively it will be burden on our heart and health. So I’m busy with the WordPress and enjoy. Stay blessed and Take care❤️

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    1. In my country (USA), we’re experiencing a lot of confusion due to the previous administration’s lies and crimes which are threatening our democracy. We have way too many people spreading lies and conspiracy theories about Covid and the vaccines. We have people denying climate change. We have worsening racial problems and more people committing hate crimes daily. Gun violence is out of control. Our economic disparity is the worst it’s ever been, with the rich getting richer and everyone else getting poorer. One of our two major political parties has become a death cult. It’s a mess, and it’s scary, to be honest. So it’s very confusing and there’s such a feeling of dread about our upcoming midterm elections in November. There’s a chance we’ll lose our democracy and there will be more political violence like we had on January 6, 2021. It’s really hard to find that light in the darkness and determine if it’s hope’s end or a new dawn. Anyway, thanks so much, Jane, for your thoughtful comments and your kindness. The WordPress community is a wonderful place and a good distraction from what’s going on around us. It’s become a refuge for me to find some peace of mind among some really good people. I’m glad you’re a part of it. 🙂

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  14. I’m with Ben Alexander – #186 really IS special. I’m banging my own head against a wall; it’s really heartening to think that there are other people out there, like me, writing and trying – if they’re not the same thing. keep going, Mr Mike!

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    1. Thanks so much! It really is frustrating being unable to discern something so crucial to our lives because we have so much riding on the outcome. It fosters so much self-doubt, that’s for sure. I won’t lie–uncertainty can be frightening and paralyzing. Thanks for such a kind response to this one. I sincerely appreciate it. 🙂

      As for “Mr. Mike,” I haven’t heard that since high school! It was one of my many nicknames (along with Zontar and Pepe’ Gonzalez and a few other totally random, obscure and ill-fitting monikers; yes, apparently my life is steeped in mystery and weirdness…). It brings back memories. Thanks again for the nice comment and support. Much appreciated. 🙂

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