“For Harley” published at Gobblers & Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry

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.

69 thoughts on ““For Harley” published at Gobblers & Masticadores”

    1. Many thanks, dear Saima. I’m glad to know this poem pleased you. It’s always a delight to see you here, and I hope you’ll be able to visit often in 2024. Thanks as always for your kindness. I so appreciate it. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    2. The new year has been quiet so far. Not a lot going on in the little town where I live. I was going to say it’s been a snowless winter so far, but I just looked out the window and it’s snowing a little right now. We really need the snow since my area is very dry, and there are lots of farms that rely on winter snows for water for crops and cows. I’m doing fine. I have a glass of tea, and that’s about all I need to be happy. 😀 Have a good week, my friend! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    3. If you look at a map of Colorado, USA, I live in the southwest corner in a little town called Cortez. There are about 8,800 residents here. Lots of farms, mountains, nearby deserts, a few lakes and rivers, and a handful of smaller towns. It’s really out in the middle of nowhere! 😀

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. rajkkhoja's avatar rajkkhoja

        Thank you so much. I much like farms, mountains, deserts, lakes and rivers, and a smaller towns. I like live in small town & village!
        What you doing work?
        How much your family members?
        Tack care!

        Liked by 1 person

    4. I live alone and am unable to work due to disabilities, so it’s very hard to get by. I’m accustomed to being alone all the time so it’s not too bad. I’m unable to do many things I used to do because of medical problems. It’s frustrating, but I know many people are struggling and have problems worse than mine, so I’m grateful for what I have. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Many thanks, Friedrich. Happiness and good health, you say? I’ll have some of that, please! 😀 Here’s wishing you a happy and productive year, my friend. Thank you so much for your support. Truly means the world to me. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Mike, I’d like to say a few things about this, but I don’t think it’s my place to give advice to others, especially when I don’t know enough about the circumstances. But in my next posts there might be one or two passages that can contribute to more happiness and improved health. All the best!

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Many thanks for your thoughtfulness, Friedrich. I’ll look forward to reading your next few posts. I value your keen insights as much as I admire your creative talents. Much appreciated, my friend. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Hey, Bruce! Thank you kindly for the thoughtful comment. It’s kind of ironic to have more in common with a dog (deafness) than with most humans, but Harley was a good dog and I miss him. I really enjoyed writing this poem in his memory. Here’s wishing you a safe and happy new year, too! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    1. Thanks a bunch. Those summer evening memories are so crisp and vivid even after all these years. The westering sun set the rabbit brush aglow, and the sage scented meadows were redolent of the aroma of summer… Harley was a good dog, and I’m sure he’s chasing rabbits even now through endless green meadows… 🙂

      And all the best to you and yours in 2024. We all need and deserve some safety, peace and happiness for a change. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  10. Mike, this poem is an absolute masterpiece.

    The vivid imagery, the nostalgic tone, and the heartfelt recounting of Harley’s life paint a beautiful portrait. The way you capture the essence of his pup days, the joy in his tail’s wag, and the vivid descriptions of your evening walks are both moving and enchanting. It’s a touching tribute that truly resonates with me.

    ~David

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much, David. While I’ve had the pleasure of knowing many fine dogs over the years (Bilbo, Buffer, Schroeder, Pup-Mup, Roadie and Dexter, to name just a handful), Harley was unique in that he lost all of his hearing, and that created a special bond between us. I’m not sure if he ever realized he was deaf, but even if he did, he still lived his life with his volume knob turned to 11 all the time (a favorite Spinal Tap reference of mine). Those evenings when he’d take off like a rocket and utterly lose himself in the moment were simply glorious. These memories hold more weight now because the apartment complex where I live doesn’t allow pets, so I’ve found myself reminiscing often about the dogs I’ve known over the years, and longing to have that sort of companionship once again.

      I really appreciate your in-depth appraisal of this poem, as well as your constant support and never-ending kindness. I’m glad this one resonated with you. It means a lot to me. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
  12. Tranature - quiet moments in nature's avatar Tranature - quiet moments in nature

    Congratulations Mike and what a fabulous poem for your sweet friend Harley! He sounds like the kindest soul and I can imagine him taking all his memories of your wonderful walks together with him to where is now too 💜

    Liked by 2 people

    Reply

    1. Many thanks, Xenia. I can picture him frolicking with all the other dogs I’ve known and loved on those canine Elysian Fields where all good dogs go…and that’s a really nice thought, you know? 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply
      1. Tranature - quiet moments in nature's avatar Tranature - quiet moments in nature

        It’s a lovely thought Mike and I imagine we all meet our canine friends again one day on the other side of the rainbow too 🌈

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Michelle. Oh, I miss all the good dogs I’ve ever known, too. They’re with us for far too brief a time, and the love they give us is so complete. I’d love to have a golden retriever and a Jack Russell terrier, but the apartments where live don’t allow pets. So, I watch doggo videos on YouTube all the time (cat vids, too). Where would we be without our animal friends? 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Sounds like where I live and that’s what I do. lol…
        I used to have 2 English mastiffs (sisters) and a maltese. One of my mastiffs was always trying to kill my maltese. I think she thought she was a rabbit. 🙄 If I were to get another, I’m not even sure what kind I’d get. It’d probably be some mutt from the shelter. For now, I just go to the pet store to get my fill. lol

        Liked by 1 person

    2. My older sister goes for dachshunds and my younger sister favors chihuahuas, although years ago she had a Jack Russell terrier puppy and he was the coolest little dog ever, which is how I developed my love for that breed (and watching the movie My Dog Skip). As a kid on the farm, we had a Maltese named Buffer and a black long-haired chihuahua named Bilbo. I used to stick the dogs down my shirt and give them rides on my motorcycle. They’d have their heads poking out above my shirt collar and they loved it. 😀 Two of the best dogs I’ve ever known. Add in Schroeder the wiener dog, Dexter the black Lab and Harley the deaf beagle and there are lots of good memories for me.

      Have fun at the pet store! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. My parents had a dachshund. The only thing I remember about Jack Russells is that they jump non-stop. It’s almost like they’re constantly on a pogo stick lol. Sadly, a family friend of ours lost their Jack Russell when it bounced too high and hung itself by its collar on the fence. 🥲 Buffer n Bilbo are cute names. Our maltese was named Daisy and the other two were Emma and Pippa. I can picture you riding around like that with your dogs. Sounds like the best days. I think I would’ve loved growing up on a farm.

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Diana. This one was recently published here on my blog so I’m pretty sure you might recall reading it, but hey, it’s about a dog, and that makes it worth reading again, eh? 😀 (I love dogs, can you tell?) 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

Leave a comment