“A Few Haiku (43)”

On By Mike U.In Poetry

(c) 2022 by Michael L. Utley

(#253)

your shadow remains
in the nest of my heart
long since you took wing

…..

(#254)

let me rest my soul
in the cool shadows of the
north side of your heart

…..

(#255)

thoughtless koi in lotus pond
I hover above, god-like
and go unnoticed

…..

(#256)

take the dappled path
through the green konara copse
there I’ll find my way

…..

(#257)

evening mourning doves
will never let me forget
day’s death and night’s tears

…..

(#258)

I arrange the stones
into cairns of memories
lest I lose my way

37 thoughts on ““A Few Haiku (43)””

    1. Thanks so much. I wanted to speak to the indifference of humanity and it just seemed like a good metaphor, these koi that live in their own world and probably have no idea there’s anything beyond their immediate habitat.

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    1. Thanks, Daphny. Broken hearts, indeed. The sad ones seem to hold the most meaning for me. I don’t think I could write a truly upbeat haiku, although I once wrote a happily derogatory haiku about Jar Jar Binks (it was hilariously obnoxious) but I’d never post it here! 😀

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    1. Hey, Mark. Thanks for the nice comment. #258 seems to be the keeper in this bunch. I’ve been fascinated with the concept of cairns for years (even the name sounds cool and mysterious), and I like the idea of memory markers so we can navigate the past without getting lost in it. 🙂

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    1. Thank you so much, Xenia. I really like #258, too. As I mentioned in my comment to Mark above, the concept of memory markers seems fitting as a good way to navigate the past without getting stuck in it (I need to work on my cairn-building skills a bit more, it appears 😀 ). I appreciate your kind appraisals so much, and your comment really made me smile. Thanks again. 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Jeff. I must confess that a great deal of my inspiration for my nature poetry comes from my time in Oregon. I’m so gad my poetry resonates with you. I love that you have such a deep connection to the natural world. We need more nature lovers in this world. 🙂

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  13. “evening mourning doves
    will never let me forget
    day’s death and night’s tears”
    Ahhh! The depths of sadness. I love to soak my feet and watch the ripples.
    You touch and pluck the right nerves, Mike. It’s like playing a musical instrument. The melody is perfect. 🙂

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    1. Thanks so much Terveen. I harken back to my youth on the farm and the mourning doves that would appear at each day’s dusk. Their call was so melancholy, and I could mimic it almost perfectly by blowing into my cupped hands. I’d call and they’d answer, and it was so peaceful as evening fell to experience this interplay. And it was sad, too, and such a mournful call. I haven’t heard birdsong of any kind for many years due to my deafness, but how I recall those mourning doves and my evening conversations with them! 🙂

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  14. Mike, it’s so deep and beautiful..your words touch one’s heart and connect with soul.. again my words can not say it all..

    “your shadow remains
    in the nest of my heart
    long since you took wing”

    “evening mourning doves
    will never let me forget
    day’s death and night’s tears”

    Pure and beautiful!!

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    Reply

    1. Many thanks, Aaysid. I’ve always liked the concept of cairns. I’ve seen them on desert trails and they have such a stark, poignant feel to them, a sense of quiet significance. Glad to know this one held meaning for you. 🙂

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    1. Many thanks, Reena. I’m still trying to find my way. It’s a long journey, you know? Lots of distractions and pitfalls along the path. All we can do is keep trying. 🙂

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