“A Few Haiku (51)”

On By Mike U.In Poetry

(c) 2022 by Michael L. Utley

(#301)

in sleeping woods
the scent of burning bark
the fragrance of memories

…..

(#302)

the tilt of her head
as she looked at me
the burned bridge

…..

(#303)

cairns of river stones
lest the stream forget
its sorrow

…..

(#304)

these old coins
both priceless and worthless
a wealth of emptiness

…..

(#305)

swift, swift the stream
and all it sweeps away
the torrent of the years

…..

(#306)

among the rushes
the blur of silent koi
and dreams of oblivion

48 thoughts on ““A Few Haiku (51)””

  2. I get visuals of places I have seen in your lyrics Mike. It makes me want to dash out with the camera and attempt to take those pictures of meaning. I could see the poem in a corner of a canvas print (my imagination set in motion).

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    1. Thanks, Gary. I wrote #301 with you in mind after you shared your stories of your youth in the winter woods. I’m truly honored and humbled to know these inspire you. I’d love to see any images you create should you get an opportunity to do some shooting. Always glad to see you stop by, my friend! A sincere thanks for your kind words. 🙂

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    1. Thanks so much, Xenia.#302 was oddly difficult to write as far as the memory is concerned. The finality of a burned bridge is something a relationship can never overcome. I appreciate your thoughtful reviews, my friend. Many thanks! 🙂

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    1. My sincere thanks, Saima! It makes it all worth it when my poetry connects with you and others. Honestly, it’s a joyous feeling. I’m just a regular guy who likes to play with words, so your praise is incredibly humbling and much appreciated. 🙂

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  9. I love the variety of images you conjure in this batch, Mike. Each one made me stop and think and brought vivid pictures to my mind. I think my favourite today is #304. The “worthless” and “priceless” with the “wealth of emptiness” just really made me ponder the ins and outs of this thought. But actually I really love #305 and #306 too. And #303 is stunning. Okay I can’t pick a favourite. This is an especially evocative batch for me. Beautiful.

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    1. I’m so pleased to know this bunch meant so much to you. I was in a different kind of mood today when I wrote these, with my mind filled with random images and sounds and memories. It took a while to get going, but then I was able to settle in and let them sort of flow. I was especially delighted by your enthusiastic comment because I’m never sure how these will go over with readers once I click the Publish button. Sending my thoughts out into the world is scary sometimes, and all I can do is hope they survive and maybe bring meaning to someone. So, thanks for such a thoughtful response. I appreciate that you can see beyond the words and discern the thoughts behind them. It makes writing so much fun. 🙂

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    1. You’ve got me smiling, Shobana! I’m truly blessed to know you enjoyed these haiku. They allow me to explore a lot of memories and concepts, hopes and dreams and regrets, and put some kind of order to them. And I have so much fun writing them. Thanks for such a wonderful comment, my friend! It means a lot to me. 🙂

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  14. “cairns of river stones
    lest the stream forget
    its sorrow”
    Can very much relate. Beautiful ones, Mike. Sadness just becomes a part of a person. Like it’s a characteristic. I think being aware of this is important and acceptance makes it easier to bear. We define the happy and sad in our lives. Great writing! 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Terveen. I totally agree. With something so embedded and integral to who we are, what’s the use in fighting it? As with my deafness, which I’ve been fighting to no avail for decades, accepting that sorrow has a foothold in my life is the only way to find some sort of balance. I mean, it’s there, so why not sit down with it and chat for a while, acknowledge it and learn to live with it? I’ve accepted my sorrow for the most part (although I sometimes fear that people see me only as The Depressing Poetry Dude), but still need work accepting my deafness and loneliness. It’s a never-ending project, life is… Thanks for your astute insights and for understanding my poetry. My next task is accepting the fact that I have an icy cold root beer in my fridge with my name on it. 😀

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    1. Thanks a bunch, Peggy. I feel fortunate to have friends like you who are so supportive and encouraging. You put a smile on my face with your comments and I really appreciate it. Thanks for being so kind to me. 🙂

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    1. You’re very kind! Thanks so much for your wonderful comment. I’m glad these held meaning for you. And, as always, I’m happy to see you here today. Thank you for visiting and reading, my friend! I hope you’re doing well today. 🙂

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    1. Thanks, Cindy. I’m hoping I can avoid another four-month dry spell. Lots of stress caused that fallow period, and I’m just thankful that I’m able to write at the moment. I never take this for granted. It comes and goes, and that’s frustrating, but that’s how it’s always been for me. I’m glad you like my writing. I can’t thank you enough for your kindness, Cindy. Positive, encouraging people like you make all the difference in the world. Much gratitude to you, my friend. 🙂

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      1. It’s alright trust it and It’s awesome you go with the flow. The more you do the more you grow tho.. so try to remember that. It’s life ya know for all of us. You are a rockstar Mike and I’m grateful to know you and for your support too! 💗

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    1. Thanks, Aaysid. It’s true–some of the strongest triggers of memories are aromas that we’ve associated with events and experiences. Something we saw, heard or did a lifetime ago can be immediately plucked from memory and can be almost overpowering. And if you live long enough, you’ll have so many memories that almost anything you smell will trigger something! 😀 Always grateful for your kind support, my friend. 🙂

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