(c) 2022 by Michael L. Utley
(#199)
domestic abuse
my seven-year-old self
learns to hate
…..
(#200)
sunflower song
a dirge for those
who shall never bloom
…..
(#201)
tank tracks in mud
scrawl across sunflower fields
calligraphy of war
…..
(#202)
spent brass shell casings
golden glitter in the streets
currency of death
…..
(#203)
we watch and wait
while children cry and die
thoughts and prayers are not enough
…..
(#204)
judgment day
we have no excuse for
what we have done
Heartfelt!! My favourites are 200, 201 & 204. Such powerful imagery.
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Thanks. I was in a decidedly contemplative mood, I suppose. So much going on, such a fraught time we’re in now.
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I felt all of these. Amazing how your poems are beautiful with such a serious topics.
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Thank you much. This is why I enjoy haiku so much–everything is distilled down to its very essence, and imagery is so important. I appreciate your kind words.
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A very poignant series Mike ✍
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Thanks so much, Xenia. Your support means so much to me.
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#201 & #202… oh the imagery found here! You’re still the king of haikus, Mike. Never had my heart tugged in such profound ways until I started reading you.
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Thanks, Michelle. Your words humble me so much. Even though all of these speak of melancholy and despair, I’m glad you found them to your liking. Much appreciated. 🙂
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You’re welcome… It’s just such a wonder, when someone can take just a few words and create such brilliant imagery from each one and create such depth of emotion.
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This is a prefect haiku, love the imagery that you used here. 199 hits hard, no 7 year old should witness it and 203 204 are both a powerful one.
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Thank you so much, Daphny. Drawing from personal experience is painful sometimes but it’s truth, and that’s what I must write about in my poetry, you know? I always appreciate your support and encouragement. It makes delving into these painful memories worth it. 🙂
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You’re most welcome Mike! I do know and understand that and I admire your courage in doing so, some pains need to be opened up and written of to let it go. 🙂
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You’re right, Mike. Thoughts and prayers are not enough. Ask those who are suffering and dying. Their world is separate from ours. That’s how pain segregates you. Sad…
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Thanks, Tervreen. It’s frustrating, as you said, and I know we’ll have a reckoning at some point for our inaction not only now, but throughout our history as a species. We can’t keep turning a blind eye to atrocities. When we do, it empowers those who commit them, and on it goes… Thanks for your constant support. I appreciate it.
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Wow. #202 is gonna stay with me. Powerful. Thank you for sharing, Mike.
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Thank you, Kirsten. Yeah, #202 hits hits home for me as one of my family members nearly died as a result of a gunshot wound to the chest. So much death… The road to hell is paved with spent brass shell casings… Thanks for your always supportive words.
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😦 That’s rough… I’m sorry to hear that.
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I agree that #202 is pretty impactful. This is a very well done sequence of some very difficult and sad situations.
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Thanks, Mark. Yep, what a solemn tone all of these encompass. I live a very isolated life, but these things still extract a deep toll on me and I find myself needing to speak out now and then. I have a new set of haiku I’ll publish in a day or two that mostly revolves around nature and less intense subjects, but I’m glad I spoke out on these somber issues. Thanks for your support, good sir. 🙂
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Very painful today, and yet living inside of this beautifully self expression is love and hope. Gorgeous poetry, Mike.
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Thank you, Jeff. Fraught times spawn solemn thoughts, I suppose. I’ve found that when I’m experiencing writer’s block, it’s usually because I need to write something serious but have misgivings about how it will be judged by others. In the end, I have to remember I’m writing for myself as a means of expression and therapy and I can’t let what others think prevent me from writing. The last thing I want is to be known as “that depressing guy,” you know? But it’s important for me to write, and this is what’s on my mind. I’m just grateful people seem to respond positively to it. It’s encouraging and keeps me motivated to keep trying. As always, I appreciate your kind words so much, Jeff. 🙂
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Your haïku cry out so many feelings. They are very poignant Mike. Bravo!
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Thank you, Filipa. Lots of frustrations in the world right now, and many of us feel powerless to do anything to improve the situation. It helps me to distill these feelings down to haiku format for clarity. Maybe these haiku will resonate with someone somewhere. Thanks for your kind words. I appreciate it.
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They definitely resonated to me. There’s still hope Mike. 🙏🏻
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WOW Mike these are so sad but so well done my friend! 💖💖👏
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Thanks, Cindy. Sometimes the sadness needs to be articulated, I suppose. I appreciate your kind support as always–it means a lot to me.
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Especially when you wrote it so well. seriously, that you did and you have a gift. oh I’m so glad! 💖🙏🌈
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As always, you write beautiful haikus full of great imagery and messages. I love this collection. I can’t even choose out a single, they all speak to me right down my heart, of these current times and life.
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Many thanks, Lamittan. Yes, this collection is bleak and addresses some serious issues, but I believe that speaking out can build bridges and mend hearts and show others they’re not alone, that we’re all in this together. I’m glad these spoke to you, and I appreciate your constant support. 🙂
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Yes, you’re absolutely right, my friend. Feel most welcome ❤
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