Hey, folks. I’m excited to let you know my poem “This World is Yours” is now live at Spillwords Press. I appreciate Dagmara K. and her staff for publishing this piece. It’s an incredible honor to share my work with the readers at Spillwords Press. Many thanks, Dagmara. I’m deeply grateful.

“This World is Yours”
(c) 2023 by Michael L. Utley

you thought you could
save the world
wee lad
you couldn’t even
save yourself

those bleak nighthawk skies
where dead stars fall
like blood-bloated flies
and fey winds howl
in deafened ears
a behemoth’s fetid exhalation
violent and ignorant
and inexorable

breathe
breathe it all in
the sweat-soaked fear
the bitter tang of futility
fill your lungs
wee lad
this world is yours
as far as tear-blurred
eyes can see…

You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. And once you’re there, take some time to check out the work of many other talented writers on Spillwords Press, where you’ll find a treasure trove of good writing.

I’m pleased to announce my poem “Heroic” has been published at Chewers & Masticadores. Many thanks to Juan Re Crivello and his team for sharing this poem with their readers. It’s always an honor to have my poetry published Chewers & Masticadores and I’m deeply grateful for this opportunity. Thank you, Juan!

“Heroic”
© 2013 by Michael L. Utley

“The kid was too young
This distant uncanny boy
Face absconded
Into the murky depths of his
Drenched and threadbare
Crimson hoodie
Eyes mere pinpricks
Of sentience in the shadows
Where his face should be
On this pouring midnight
Sidewalk where even the rain seemed
Exhausted in the scornful cones
Of streetlamp illumination
And unseen clouds sighed above
Too tired for the bluster and pretense
Of thunder…”

I’d be delighted 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.

I’m delighted to let you know my poem “For Harley” has been published at Gobblers & Masticadores. I appreciate Manuela Timofte and her team for their kindness in sharing this poem with their readers. It’s an honor to have my poetry published alongside that of so many talented writers at Gobblers & Masticadores. Many thanks, Manuela!

“For Harley”
(c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley

“I wonder if he ever knew his ears
Had failed him as he nosed the gravel road
Collecting scents of all that passed that way
As afternoon slipped into eventide
And xanthous-tinted rabbit brush held sway

Amid god-beams

Gilded god-beams…”

I’d be pleased if you’d read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. Also, don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Gobblers & Masticadores, where you’ll find some wonderful writing and plenty of food for thought.