“Exhale” published at Chewers & Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry

I’d like to announce that my poem “Exhale” has been published at Chewers & Masticadores. A big thank you to Nolcha Fox and her team for sharing this piece with their readers. It’s always an honor and a delight to be published alongside some amazing writers at Chewers & Masticadores, so thanks so much, Nolcha!

“Exhale”

“A handful of words hastily shaken
Thrown like dice against a filthy brick wall
Skittering across deserted sidewalk
Bouncing into foul gutter rill
Profound thoughts from a tired mind…”

I’d be pleased if you’d read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. Also, be sure to follow and subscribe to Chewers & Masticadores. It’s a wonderful place for those who love writing.

34 thoughts on ““Exhale” published at Chewers & Masticadores”

    1. Thanks a bunch, Michelle, for your kindness. I’m sorry to hear you feel this way often, too. The need to create is powerful for some people, and it feels wonderful to do so, but the downside of self-doubt and wondering if what we create has any merit or meaning can be soul-crushing. I think creating art is a noble cause, and worthy of pursuit despite the setbacks along the way. Even if only one person is moved by what we create, it’s worth it, I think. I appreciate you and your art, my friend. 🙂

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  3. Congratulations Mike. So beautifully written poem, I have already read it on your page but love to read it again and again:) I was waiting for your post and checking the notification regularly:) Would love to read your new essays too👍:)

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    1. Thank you, my friend. Being dogged by self-doubt and insecurities isn’t fun, but I’m glad I can write about it to sort of compartmentalize it and put it into perspective. I love the feeling of creating something from nothing despite the nagging sensation of futility that accompanies it. I appreciate you and your kind words as always. 🙂

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    1. Thanks as always, Diana. Your support means so much to me and keeps me invested in writing and creating. I hope October in your part of Oregon is as beautiful as I remember it from my time there. Thanks again for your kindness, my friend. 🙂

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  11. This is gut-wrenching but incredibly beautiful, Mike!🥲😮 “I have lost my voice so often I can no longer hear my thoughts”! Wow! I can relate to this feeling. Congratulations on the publication.✨️

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    1. Thanks a bunch, Aaysid. You’re always so kind. I’m sorry that you can relate to parts of this poem. The futility of writer’s block and the self-doubt as to whether we actually have anything worth saying can be devastating for creative people. Reading inspiring poetry written by talented authors such as yourself and others here on WP helps a lot to get me back on track. I appreciate your thoughtful comments and wonderful support so much. Many thanks! 🙂 *tips cap*

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  12. Mike, that’s a powerful essay. As a guy with moderate-ish hearing loss now mostly corrected with hearing aids, I understand what you’re saying about isolation. My feelings of other-ness rose dramatically as i heard less and less of what people were saying to me. I’m looking forward to future essays. Your writing is wonderful to read in topic and voice.

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    1. Many thanks, Jeff, for your thoughtful words. I’m sorry to learn you must deal with hearing loss, too, but glad to know hearing aids help. I had hearing aids in 1985 and again in 1990 and there was no improvement at all. Everything was amplified, but my difficulty in understanding speech was unaffected. I FINALLY received a proper diagnosis in 1994 when the country’s top audiological specialist told me I had an auditory processing problem, which is different than a normal hearing loss. At some point between my inner ears and the hearing processing center in my brain, the electrical signal was being corrupted or dying off. He informed me that hearing aids and implants wouldn’t remedy the situation and that my deafness would continue to progress until I eventually become totally deaf. So, it’s been a long, steady descent into deafness, with some accelerated patches along the way. The isolation really is the worst part overall, and the feeling that no one understands or really cares. Being stuck between the hearing world and the deaf world is a really weird and frustrating place to be.

      Anyway, I really appreciate your kind words, Jeff. Thanks for taking the time to read my essays, and I hope you’ll enjoy the upcoming installments. There are six in total, but I may write more about my deaf experience later on. I’m glad you stopped by and hope to see you visit again. 🙂

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