Month: September 2024

“A Few Haiku (1)” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry37 Comments

Hey, folks. I want to let you know one of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (1)” has been published at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. Kindest thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte and her staff for publishing this mini-collection. I hope you enjoy it.

“A Few Haiku (1)”
(c) 2017 by Michael L. Utley

(#1)

Raindrop on elm leaf
Slipping toward oblivion
I am falling too

(#2)

Misty river bank
I can hear the water cry
Through its mournful veil

You can read the rest of this mini-collection by clicking this link. Also, don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Gobblers By Masticadores, where you’ll find some wonderful writing and plenty of food for thought.

“Snap-beans in a Wooden Bowl” published at Spillwords Press

On By Mike U.In Poetry39 Comments

I’m excited to announce my poem “Snap-beans in a Wooden Bowl” has been published at Spillwords Press. Sincere thanks to Dagmara K. and her team for publishing this piece. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity. I hope you all enjoy it.

“Snap-beans in a Wooden Bowl”
(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley

“snap-beans
in a wooden bowl
and tears
on her cheeks
my mother’s sorrow
exorcised by
the rite of
working hands
the ritual of
silent contemplation
as evening sun
gilded her world
in holy ephemera
her safe place
ensconced
in her own
sacred light
her garden
her universe…”

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 at Spillwords Press, where you’ll find a treasure trove of good writing.

“Shinrin-yoku” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry36 Comments

Hey, everyone. I’m pleased to announce my poem “Shinrin-yoku” has gone live at Gobblers by Masticadores. Many kind thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte and her staff for publishing this poem. I hope you all enjoy it.

“Shinrin-yoku”
(c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley

“I have bathed in forest’s em’rald essence
I have nestled, secreted away, in
Jade konara copse
I have placed my palms
Soft upon the scabrous skin of giants
Whose slowly beating hearts have shattered stone
Whose deeply delving fingers grip the earth
In lover’s embrace
Eternity is far too brief a time
For such a love as this, for such a love
Trees have for the earth
I have for the trees…”

You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. Also, don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Gobblers By Masticadores, where you’ll find some wonderful writing and plenty of food for thought.

“Wisdom”

On By Mike U.In Poetry35 Comments

“Wisdom”
(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley

I attain wisdom
not from church or pagoda
temple or tabernacle
but from wood and stream
respite achieved through contemplation
of cloud reflections on cobalt alpine tarns
hammocked among granite crags and tors
restoration gifted by toes-in-sand
scamperings on dayspring sea shores
as gulls cavort and sand pipers tempt fate
balance granted by spinning constellations
as Luna tends her silver star-gardens
and earth dreams its pensive dreams

there is wonder
in the fractal crevasses of konara bark
the labyrinths of sandstone lichen mandalas
the ethereal traceries of ghostly hanging moss
promise in each acorn in every copse
as elder oaks impart their ken of centuries
and guard arboreal nurseries with burly boughs
conversation in breeze communiques
thunder rumblings and rain chatter
as heaven above bends earth’s ear
humor in toad-trills and reed whispers
the coquettish giggles of creek cascades
the curious musical burlesque of insects

there is hope
in sudden sunshine after a desert deluge
gilded god-beam-burnished cliff and canyon
arch and hoodoo ablaze with magic-hour fire
solace in quiet tide pools and silent autumn leas
the compassionate chants of mourning doves
the cusp-of-dawn stillness as the universe holds its breath
encouragement in emergent golden winter suisen
evening double-rainbows over August wheat fields
the strident arias of sparrow, lark and finch
renewal in gamboling days-old winter calves
early springtime rills’ first ice-melt
the preening petals of young columbines

but most of all
there is kinship
among everything that lives
all who call Earth home
sea, land and sky
and all who dwell therein
we belong together
not as masters of all
but companions to all
not as kings but stewards
fellow travelers on life’s journey
through glen and hollow
from peak to shore
sharing a common path
let us revitalize our love
for all things
let us return to
our proper place
let us embrace who we are
and why we are here
for that is the first step
toward true wisdom

(originally published at Spillwords Press, July 2024)

“Exhale” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry30 Comments

I’d like to announce my poem “Exhale” has been published at Gobblers by Masticadores. I appreciate the kindness of Editor Manuela Timofte and her staff for sharing this poem with their readers. Thank you, Manuela!

“Exhale”
(c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley

“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

Is this all I have to say and if so
Does it even matter when no one cares
These words buoyant as a waterlogged corpse
Sink slowly beneath the surface
Of a world bereft of conscience…”

You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. Also, don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Gobblers By Masticadores, where you’ll find some wonderful writing and plenty of food for thought.

“A Latticework of Tears” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry24 Comments

Hello, friends. I’d like to let you know my poem “A Latticework of Tears” has been published at Gobblers by Masticadores. A big thank you goes to Editor Manuela Timofte and her staff for their kindness in sharing this poem with their wonderful readers. Many thanks, Manuela!

“A Latticework of Tears”
(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley

“autumn rain has come
orb weaver’s sorrowful web
a latticework of tears
a trellis of weathered memories
in this mournful
forgotten meadow
abandoned
as dusk’s demise
renders moot
vestigial joy
and hope
gives up its ghost…”

You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. Also, don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Gobblers By Masticadores, where you’ll find some wonderful writing and plenty of food for thought.