“Exhale” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry

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.

30 thoughts on ““Exhale” published at Gobblers by Masticadores”

  2. Well done and congratulations on getting published, Mike. The poem reads beautifully – this is my favourite part

    I have shouted from the tops of mountains
    I have whispered in sepulchral shadows
    I have groaned in blackened pits of despair
    I have lost my voice so often
    I can no longer hear my thoughts

    so raw and eloquent at the same time.

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Kindest thanks. I appreciate your support so much. This really is a poem of futility and despair–that voice crying in the darkness. Thanks so much for reading and leaving such a nice comment, my friend. 😊🌸

      Liked by 1 person

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  13. Dearest Mike,

    I just read this piece, and it evoked a weird reaction in me. I read all the comments, and I felt the love and respect in all of them for the intensity and vulnerability in your writing. I definitely related to Resa’s comment, as my ears are still stinging from the so often truth that these words carry for much of the population, especially in America. Also, I always appreciate reading the concise and acclamatory words of D. Wallace Peach.

    My ability to be able to totally relate to these words for the first twenty years of my life made me incontrovertibly think about the power behind your words. I found myself feeling not angry, but very bewildered at the truth, that lies within each line and every stanza of your brilliant words. Not just for you, but for so many things that are happening all around us, things in the world that continue to happen, and it is as if the whole world doesn’t care at times. Yet, I know that it is not the case, many people care, but why do the horrible things happening in our world keep occurring?

    «Sharpened edges of serrated starlight
    A thousand vapid cuts my soul bleeds out
    I offer up my penance to the gods
    Ragged blood-soaked sheaves of parchment
    Etched with runes of my existence»

    This stanza is so gut-wrenching and hard to read, and yet I get it, Mike. We are bothered by so many of the same things in our world, as we both know.

    So, if I may, please indulge me in these words, as I know you are a humble man.

    When you write, those who read your brilliant work not only hear your words in blazing sound but visualize in vivid examples of artistic and uncertain palettes of color what you are describing. I always feel a proclivity to read your piece multiple times and to contemplate each and every stanza and the intensity of your written word.

    You are a gift to this world, Mike. For anyone to be able to feel to this extent and articulate like only you do, just shows your humaneness.

    I am very grateful to Manuela and Crivello for their publications of your work.

    Blessings to you, my friend, and congratulations on another publication.

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