“The Cairn” published at Hotel by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry

I’d like to announce my poem “The Cairn” has been published at Hotel by Masticadores. Kindest thanks to Editor Michelle Navajas and her team for sharing this poem with their readers. I truly appreciate this opportunity, Michelle.

“The Cairn”
(c) 2023 by Michael L. Utley

“a handful of stones
the currency of a hardened heart
cannot purchase a reprieve
from the weight of mountains
upon my soul

scree of memories
who can navigate the slope
of ankle-breaking regrets
the sharpened shale
of the empty slate
where hope
was once etched
and now only
dust remains

we walked that path
through the foothills of yesterday
where everything was evergreen
the eternal evening
redolent of lilac and honeysuckle
and wild rose
and the wan moon
dozed in the lavender sky
and you were there
but you weren’t there
your body in a mountain meadow
and your mind in
a roiling pit of despair…”

You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. Also, please consider following and subscribing to Hotel by Masticadores, where you’ll discover a world of wonderfully imaginative and profound writing.

48 thoughts on ““The Cairn” published at Hotel by Masticadores”

  4. I love the natural imagery and raw emotion. The absence of the other weighs heavy but at the same time feels light as they fade in and out, both of you evolving with the changes in the landscape. A well written piece. Congratulations, Mike! 🤗💕

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    1. Thanks, Kirsten I can’t seem to separate human emotions and natural imagery. Nature is so incredibly symbolic of the human condition, you know? As an introverted lover of nature, it makes sense to approach writing about human strengths and frailties from a nature perspective. It really did feel as though the relationship mentioned in this piece was winding down an ever-darkening path, the light fading as well as my beloved, and the distant, aloof stars watching it all play out below. I couldn’t stop her from fading away. Now, even the memories are becoming less frequent and blurred. I suppose that’s human nature, too.

      Thanks as always for your constant support, my friend. I appreciate you. 😊🌸

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  7. Congratulations, Mike, on the publication of this hauntingly beautiful, tender poem!👏
    I wish there were a way to save those we see fading away before our eyes, but then again, many times we cannot do anything about our own disappearing as well. It all feels out of our control.😥
    Your words beautifully capture the essence of human emotions.✨

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    1. Kindest thanks, Aaysid. Oh, I agree–I’ve found myself slowing fading away over the years, too. Many reasons for this, of course, but it’s starkly apparent at times when I stop and take a look at my life (or even glance in the mirror). And no one’s been able to prevent this in my life, so it’s completely understandable that I’ve been unable to prevent the slow fading-away in the lives of others. It’s both inexorable and piercingly sad, I think. The girl in this poem…her burden was impossible for her to carry, but she refused help and it really did feel as though I could see her becoming invisible, losing opacity and fading into nothingness, and there was nothing I could do to help her. Not knowing what happened to her will haunt me until the end, I’m afraid.

      Your kindness and keen insights are so appreciated, my friend. Thanks for stopping by and saying hello, Aaysid. You’re always welcome here. 😊🌸

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    1. Aw, yer makin’ me blush! Seriously, this is so nice of you to say. Thank you so much for your wonderful support, my friend. I really, truly appreciate you and your kindness. Here’s wishing you a wonderful week ahead. All the best from sunny, chilly Colorado! 😊🌸

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    1. Many thanks, Peggy, for your kind support. Yes, this piece certainly contains some jagged emotions, serrated stuff that cuts to the bone. I’m so glad to know it connected with you despite its sorrowful theme. Hope the remainder of the week is good to you, my friend. 😊

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  14. congratulations Mike. Another tender exploration, and tastefully written composition by you. How you tapped into nature to explore this theme is so well done. I’m learning from a master everytime I read your poetry my friend.

    you handle language so exquisitely.

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    1. Thanks, man. Coming from you, this really means a lot. Your own writing is superb on so many levels and always hits its mark. I’m learning from you, too, my friend. I’d love to get back to writing short fiction at some point. Not sure if that will ever happen, but your work is inspiring me to at least consider it. A grand rest of the week to you, Nigel. 😊

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      1. Thank you Mike. I love your style bro. I’m always in awe reading your works. And it compels me to elevate my game. Iron sharpens iron right?.. and if I want to get better, I hang around the best at it, I’m bound to improve.
        Id love to see some flash fiction one day from you.
        You’re an artist, and a good one too, so I’m sure your stories will be fantastic. 💪💪

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    2. The last piece of fiction I wrote is a half-finished tale from early 2012. I hit a wall midway through and couldn’t proceed. I have a poem I’ve been working on for way too long that’s got the feel of a flash-fiction prose piece in poetic format. I hope to finish it at some point. Again, I hit that wall and lost momentum with that one. If you’re interested, I can send you the file of the short-story from 2012 and you can check it out. Half-done, but it’s an example of my prose. Let me know if you’re interested.

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      1. Of course..send it through. Maybe we can jump start it and you’ll make it to the finish line.

        Mikez my first manuscript I started in 2004, and finished it in 2017 lol. 13 years lol. The next one took 9 months. Some projects like a little time to marinate 😜

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      2. Hey Mike.i finished the first one… Brilliant and engaging stuff mate. The pace, the tone, it has a lingering intensity about it. Anticipation, dread, doom… But I don’t even like happy endings so I guess that’s where my mind is taking me 😂. I say work on it..I say start sharing it.

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    1. And what a reply it was! That image is stunning and really captures the feel of the story. I replied back to you just now. I’m going to brainstorm and see what happens. Thanks for the enthusiastic support, buddy. *brain begin storming* 😊

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