“I Cannot Ask the Mountain” published at Chewers & Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry

I’m happy to announce my poem “I Cannot Ask the Mountain” has been published at Chewers & Masticadores. Sincere thanks to Juan Re Crivello and his team for this opportunity. It’s always an honor to share my work at Chewers & Masticadores. Thank you, Juan!

“I Cannot Ask the Mountain…”
(c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley

“I cannot ask the mountain
To carry my burden
For it shoulders the
The cumbrous glacier
The forsaken tor
The desolate scree slope
It weeps already
At its heavy load
Remorseful streams
Of alpine tears
Flow into tarns of regret
Secret cirques of sorrow
Hidden in its granite heart…”

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.

37 thoughts on ““I Cannot Ask the Mountain” published at Chewers & Masticadores”

  8. This was such a profound piece of poetry Mikey. Always in awe of your skills, brother man. Made me ponder and prioritize a few things, as my mind has a lot swirling around. Well done sir

    And congratulations on the other news… Very proud of you Mikey. 👏👏🎉

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    1. Thanks, my friend. It’s good to feel the stillness and silence, even if it’s not what we’re seeking. There’s something to be said for simply experiencing with no expectations. Maybe something will happen, perhaps we’ll get an answer, but until we do, there are the trees, the ocean, the mountains, the meadows, the birds…and in some abstract way, maybe that’s the answer we really need.

      Thanks for the kindness regarding the other stuff. I’ll make an post about it shortly–just waiting to see if SP had anything planned. Truly appreciate your support, man. Always will. 😊

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  10. “I cannot ask the meadow
    To save my soul
    For it is laid to rest
    Its cacophony
    Of summer essence
    Drained of hue and humor
    Unkempt autumnal whiskers
    Of dried grasses and weeds”

    This section really resonates with me, Mike. As we’ve discussed nature and her beautiful symbolism, I feel mankind really moves with the seasons. Whatever way one feels this decadent blessing to know that we are neither stagnant, nor even still, but constantly flowing; has come to be a beautiful comfort I delight in. Even with tears, and the onslaught of dried leaves. I look to the cedars that stay green with their vibrant hue all year round, and after 15 years of living here, all those tiresome pinecones I have to clear away for my garden, have started to sprout saplings. Life is full of highs and lows, and I think referring to nature offers a coziness as high, lows, happiness, despair and the beautiful mid-tones that can be troublesome to hear, make me feel at peace in this world – even if it’s just from time to time, just as your writing does.

    Nice job, Mike 😌😊

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    1. Kindest thanks, Sam. Your keen insights speak volumes. We really do flow with nature–sometimes willingly, other times begrudgingly. There’s nothing like getting dragged along by the napes of our necks when we don’t want to continue along the path, eh? 😃 Having grown up on a farm, the cycles of nature were ever-present. My area has four distinct seasons, so I get to witness the cycles of change constantly. That rhythm is soothing, if one takes time to recognize it. I like the image of all those pine cones beginning to spout. I loved early springtime on the farm, when vibrant carpets of green burr clover first appeared (so soft!), and as the cycle continued, later on those burr clover mats dried up and became sharp and prickly (definitely no longer soft!). There was a calming reassurance those delicate burr clover carpets would appear again next spring and one could walk barefoot on them for awhile.

      In this poem, I was looking at a different aspect of nature than what I usually express in my poetry–the preoccupied, distracted and dormant phases of nature, where it feels incredibly lonely to see the desiccated meadows, barren trees, indifferent granite peaks with their chaotic scree slopes… It’s like peeling back the veneer and seeing the cumbersome, grease-stained gears of the universe clunking away. But that’s part of life, too. Also, sometimes when we feel alone, it doesn’t matter who or what is nearby, we’re going to feel alone anyway. Then nature’s silence comforts us.

      Thanks for your kind words, Sam. Your thoughtful comments are a delight to contemplate, my friend. 😊

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      1. rajkkhoja's avatar rajkkhoja

        Thank you so much my dearest friend. Iam so… So.. glad always you like my comments & my visit you blog post. You too week ahead. I pray for you you go ahead and more poetry write & published. You are so kind & response. I always remember you.

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