(c) 2022 by Michael L. Utley
(#283)
nothing stirs
but the memory of acorns
the old forest
…..
(#284)
frozen alpine tarn
my soul rests in silence
in mountain’s embrace
…..
(#285)
his paws in my hands
as his eyes closed
the journey home
…..
(#286)
footbridge lantern
night heron’s shadow dances
with the reeds
…..
(#287)
evening chill descends
as a blade upon the wheat
the sickle moon
…..
(#288)
in my mind
the universe; in my heart
a poem
Are you setting some sort of challenge with yourself with your writing?
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In a way, yes. Writing haiku helps when I’m going through periods of writer’s block. The brevity of the form allows me to chip away at it and get something down on paper (or screen). Also, I enjoy Japanese short-form poetry immensely and it lends itself nicely to my introverted personality. Additionally, I’ve had an arbitrary goal of 300 haiku for some time now, so that’s a challenge within itself. I’ve had a lot of difficulty these past few months writing anything at all, so I’m focusing on haiku/senryu to stay focused and creative.
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Very cool. Good luck
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Love this last one in particular, Mike! ❤
~David
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Thanks, David. I tried changing direction a bit today and wanted a more nature-oriented mini-collection. I’m pleased to know you liked this one. Much appreciated. 🙂
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I liked all of them!
I just liked this one in particular!
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Okay, you got a big grin out of me with that comment, good sir! 😀 Seriously, thanks, David. It means a lot to me. 🙂 *tips cap*
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#286: I could see it! #284: I’ve never been alone in mountains but so Yes. #288: May God bless all who have a poem in the heart.
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Thank you kindly. I took a different path with these, as you can see. Much more nature-oriented and traditional. I’d been reading some of Basho’s haiku recently and his work is so inspirational and deceptively simple. It’s impossible to not be overwhelmed with love for the natural world when experiencing it through his wise eyes. And may we all have a poem in our hearts! 🙂
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Amen.
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Another collection of great writes My Friend. Have a wonderful day Mike.
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Thanks, Goff. Your wonderful and enthusiastic support makes my day! I appreciate you and all you do, my friend. Glad to know you enjoyed these. 🙂
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Pleasure My Friend. Happy Sunday Mike.
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Amazing collection, Mike. Wonderful.💕
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Many thanks as always, my friend. I’m so indebted to you for your support. Your poetry is so positive and life-affirming, so it’s always a pleasure to know my own words speak to you in some way. Always grateful to you, Grace. 🙂
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You are so welcome, Mike. Thank you so much. Your photos and words always have a deep impact on me. Truly my pleasure , dear friend.💕
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Wonderful haiku, Mike, I love #288 especially. 🩵
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Thanks a bunch, Kirsten. I think all of us have a poem in our hearts. Unlocking it and setting it free can be the hard part, but it’s worth it. And I know you can identify with the “universe in my mind” sentiment–your own writing is testament to the wonders of an active and fertile imagination. As always, I appreciate you so much. 🙂
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Well said, my friend. 🙂 I appreciate you as well.
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Beautiful as always, Mike. I’m interested that #285 first struck me as being about the rainbow bridge… but could be about a long road trip (the more optimistic interpretation)! Also love the last one. I hope you are well!
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Truly grateful for your kind words, my friend. Alas, #285 is indeed a reference to the Rainbow Bridge. I was once fortunate enough to have a wonderful black Lab named Dexter in my life. He was the most amazing and beautiful dog you could ever imagine. He had the sweetest and gentlest disposition, and a wacky sense of doggo humor (seriously, he was hilarious). I was blessed to know and love him for ten years–much too short a time. All these years later, I still think about him so often and it’s as though he’s still here, still grinning, waiting for me to toss a tennis ball for him to chase with wag-tail expectancy or go on a long walk in the woods with him so he could chase rabbits or lounge in farm ponds. I’ll never forget him. He most definitely had a poem in his heart, too. 🙂
Anyway, thanks for stopping by. It’s always good to see you, and I hope you’re doing well, too! 🙂
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Wow, Mike, love them all! We had a lab that had to be put down because of cancer. Our vet came to the house and we were with him as he “journeyed home.” Also, you are an amazing poet! Thanks for sharing your heart.
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Thanks so much, Peggy. You know, I don’t think we humans deserve the love of dogs. They see the best in us and love us no matter what, and they’re in our lives for too brief a time. Such powerful, complete love. I’m sorry to learn about your Lab. They’re special dogs. I have a poem here on my blog about another dog I had the pleasure of knowing in case you’re interested in checking it out:
I truly appreciate your kind words. In such a difficult, troubled world, kindness is in short supply, so I’m grateful for your presence and support. Much appreciated. 🙂
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Love Harley’s poem, too! Dogs are special creations, special companions. We currently have two labs and a German Shepherd puppy.
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Thanks, Peggy. You’re fortunate to have those doggos. Where I live, I can’t have pets. I wish I had a country place. I’d love to have a Jack Russell terrier and a golden retriever (and a cat or two). 🙂
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Lovely write up Haiku. So heart’touch words in. I like. In mind… Heart apoem . 👌
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Many thanks for your kind words! I’m truly honored and humbled by your support. Here’s hoping your heart is filled with happy poems! 🙂
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Bunch of thanks!
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I really love 287. The blade, the sickle moon – such a great pair of images. And the picture overall is so beautifully and succinctly created. All of these haiku create such strong images. I really like them all but 287 take the prize today. 🙂
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Thanks so much. I definitely had a strong image in mind for #287, having grown up on a farm on which we raised wheat. Those autumn wheat fields prior to the harvest are so iconic and evocative, and especially so after harvesting, with dead expanses of wheat stubble beneath a chill autumn sky. I vividly recall so many evenings at the farm where the low moon resembled a shark fin on the horizon, or a sickle sharp enough to rend the sky. Anyway, thanks for the kind and thoughtful comment. I’m happy this one stood out for you. 🙂
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Especially love #285. Thank you, Michael.
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Thanks so much, Patrick. The love we have for our animal companions–and theirs for us–is like no other. Please accept my condolences regarding Lexie. I wrote this one about a wonderful black Lab named Dexter who I was fortunate enough to have in my life for ten years. The Rainbow Bridge is a beautiful concept, and I love the hope it entails and the solace it provides for us. May we all be reunited with our beloved friends once again. 🙂
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“in my mind
the universe; in my heart
a poem”
Wow💕🙂
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Thanks, Saima. We all have poetry in our hearts. We lucky few who have discovered this truth are so fortunate. Hopefully, we can spread the joy and help others unlock their own heart-verses. Thanks as always for your constant support! 🙂
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🙂 very true, dear Mike.
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I love this collection Mike!
Soothing and heartfelt.
Thanks for sharing all of them; There is life of natures reflections so gorgeous here! 💗
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Thank you kindly, Cindy. Your comments always–always–make me smile! Keep shining your light, dear friend, and thanks so much for everything. 🙂
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Another beautiful series, my friend. To me, these seemed reflective – perhaps it’s that moon and the quiet presence of nature. The last one captured my attention in its uniqueness. I love that.
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Many thanks, Diana. These really do have a reflective feel to them. That’s one thing I’ve noticed about these haiku collections–I usually write all six in one sitting, so there’s generally some sort of conscious (or unconscious) theme running through them. I can go back and read earlier installments and it’s easy to see what mood I was in at the time. Definitely a reflective mood for these. I’m glad you liked the last one. When I wrote it, I wasn’t too sure about it, but it seems several people thought favorably of it. I sort of like the notion of the importance of poetry (and art in general) in our lives, and how it fills and heals the heart. We may possess all the head knowledge the world has to offer, but we’re just not complete without a poem in our hearts. 🙂
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What a lovely comment. I hope that someday you publish, Mike. You are so talented. And beyond your poetry, you offer lovely reflections on life and your work. It’s all so full of… heart.
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Wow! These are incredibly beautiful! I can relate to the last one.😊👍
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Thank you much, Aaysid. I had a feeling you might be able to relate to the last one, with your science background and your poet’s heart. I’m so glad you liked it. 🙂
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😊😊
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