Month: February 2025

“A Tanka Trio (3)” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry41 Comments

I’d like to announce the third installment of my tanka series titled “A Tanka Trio (3)” is now live at Gobblers by Masticadores. Each of these installments contains three tanka (be sure to click this link or the link below to read all of them). Sincere thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte for publishing this installment. I hope you find these enjoyable.

“A Tanka Trio (3)”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#7)

My eyes hear what my
Ears cannot see I wash my
Mouth of bitter taste
Of memories long past and
Chase scent of elusive hope

…..

(#8)

Distant memories
Hide like frail columbines
Shade-bound ‘neath the firs
Fragile petals woe-dappled
In the meadows of my mind

You can read the rest of this tanka installment here:

A Tanka Trio (3)

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.

After Rain Skies: The Global Anthology by Michelle Ayon Navajas–Contributor Profiles

On By Mike U.In Previews / Reviews33 Comments

Hey, friends. Nine days remain until the release of Michelle Ayon Navajas’ book After Rain Skies: The Global Anthology. March 8, 2025 will herald the arrival of a vitally important collection of poetry and prose dealing with violence and abuse and the stories of those who have survived and shared their personal experiences. You can read more about this anthology here:

After Rain Skies: The Global Anthology – A Powerful Collection of Voices Against Abuse and Violence

In the lead-up to the book’s release, Michelle has been kind enough to feature short contributor profiles of those whose work appears in the anthology. Her graciousness in recognizing these authors is so appreciated. Recently, she featured my profile, and you can check it out here if you’d like:

Mike Utley for After Rain Skies: The Global Anthology

I’m honored and humbled to be a part of this initiative to raise awareness for this significant cause. Michelle’s advocacy and hard work have done wonders for victims of abuse and violence, saving lives and helping people heal and find the light of hope again. Sincere thanks, Michelle, for allowing me to participate in this endeavor. ❤️

Smorgasbord Coffee Morning – Author D. Wallace Peach with Poet and Photographer Michael Utley

On By Mike U.In Featured Blogs43 Comments

Hey, everyone. Just a note to let you know esteemed and talented author Diana Wallace Peach has invited me as her guest to visit Sally Cronin’s wonderful blog Smorgasbord Blog Magazine for coffee today. Do stop by to say hello if you like. 😊

Smorgasbord Coffee Morning – Author D. Wallace Peach with Poet and Photographer Michael Utley

“How Swift the Stream”

On By Mike U.In Poetry34 Comments

“How Swift the Stream”
© 2025 by Michael L. Utley

as gloaming eventide stalks dying light
to ambuscade the remnants of the day
diurnal requiems give way to night
how quick the gloom
eviscerates its prey

regretful skiffs of shame contuse the dusk
as shadows skulking on earth’s wretched rind
asphyxiate its palpitating husk
how cruel the dark
and all it renders blind

the dreams of men have withered into dross
the fruits of hope lie rotting on the vine
of apathy and existential loss
how foul the taste
of sorrow’s bitter wine

the torrents of the years in all their guile
and surreptitious whisperings betray
compassion’s current flows but for a while
how swift the stream
and all it sweeps away

“A Poet’s Lamentation”

On By Mike U.In Poetry41 Comments

“A Poet’s Lamentation”
© 2025 by Michael L. Utley

pardon my sorrow
and forgive my weeping soul
my humble supplication
loosed into the void on raven’s wings
to fall on deafened ears of fickle gods

there is no recourse but to hemorrhage
wring my bleeding heart of every drop
of my wretched existence
rend the sinews from my bones
and flay me naked

in this bleakest night
‘neath the bitter howling stars
my armature gleams ghastly
pale, my dynamo has stripped its gears
my lidless eyes see all and naught at once

as galaxies cavort and novae scream
tunes atonal to eternity
and singularities gorge
on time itself, I writhe in
insignificance

what of sacrifice
what of tears that stain the path
to heaven or hell, what of
all the shattered promises, edicts
proposed to bridge sepulchral crevasses

to heal humanity, to proffer hope
all I hear is silence, all I see
are forsaken blasted lands
smoking ruins, open graves
all I feel is dread

words in lieu of souls
that is all the poets have
to lay upon the chantry
of contrition, penitence conveyed
through lifetimes etched in stone and signed in blood

a universal verse, an astral dirge
seeking meaning in obscurity
the great myst’ry locked away
far beyond my lexicon
all words have failed me

“I am the Coin that Falls Between the Cracks” published at LatinosUSA

On By Mike U.In Poetry32 Comments

Hello, everyone. I’m excited to let you know my poem “I am the Coin that Falls Between the Cracks” is now available at LatinosUSA. Much gratitude to Editor Nolcha Fox for publishing this piece. Sincerely appreciated, Nolcha.

“I am the Coin that Falls Between the Cracks”
© 2024 by Michael L. Utley

“parts of me have died
that no one will ever know
nor will ever mourn
and why should they
I am just a remnant of myself
writ small among the vagaries of life

I am the coin that falls between the cracks
the sub-aural hum of power lines
the mote-specked silence of barn lofts
the dull glint of galaxies
as seen through rheumic eyes
I am the shadow
in the corner
of my cold
listless
mind…”

You can read the rest of my poem here:

“I Am the Coin that Falls Between the Cracks” by Michael L. Utley

I hope you’ll consider following and subscribing to LatinosUSA–a place of unique visions and creative voices from around the world.

“The Daisy Ring” published at Hotel by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry36 Comments

I’d like to let you know my poem “The Daisy Ring” has been published at Hotel by Masticadores. Many thanks to Editor Michelle Navajas for sharing this poem. I’m truly grateful for your kindness, Michelle.

“The Daisy Ring”
(c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley

“I found thee in a faerie copse…”

“Hmm?” she murmured
Her gaze caught somewhere
In the rainy neon night-world
Beyond the coffee shop window
Her fingers weightless
Feather-like
In my hand
Ethereal
Furnace-hot

“I found thee in a faerie copse
Alighting on each flower fair
And as I ‘proached thee in the hopes
Of snaring thee in lovers’ ropes
Thou disappeared into thin air…”

She looked at me then
A faint smile teasing
Her lips
“Your poetry is terrible,” she said…”

You can read the rest of my poem here:

“The Daisy Ring” by Michael L. Utley

Also, please consider following and subscribing to Hotel by Masticadores, where you’ll discover a world of wonderfully imaginative and profound writing.

“A Few Haiku (14)” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry33 Comments

Hello, friends. Just a quick note to let you know the latest installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (14)” is now live at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. As always, sincere thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte for sharing this mini-collection. I hope these resonate with you.

“A Few Haiku (14)”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#79)

Under darkened skies
Of depression even my
Shadow flees from me

…..

(#80)

Light devoid of warmth
Casts the moon as villainous
Skulking through the trees

…..

(#81)

Myths of ancient days
Etched in runes on ruined wood
Worm trails on old trees

You can read the rest of this mini-collection here:

A Few Haiku (14)

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.

“Sea of Trees” published at MasticadoresCanada

On By Mike U.In Poetry33 Comments

I’m excited to announce my poem  “Sea of Trees”  has been published at MasticadoresCanada. Sincere thanks to Editors Juan re Crivello and Ray Whitaker for sharing this poem with their readers. Much appreciated, Juan and Ray.

“Sea of Trees”
(c) 2019 by Michael L. Utley

“To slake my thirst
With dew from leaves that never see the light
Arboreal the tears that fall and quench
The darkest dreams

To fill my bowels
With loam whose cloying scent bespeaks of death
Arboreal the taste of living earth
My hunger begs…”

You can read the rest of my poem here:

Sea of Trees by Michael L. Utley

Also, please consider following and subscribing to MasticadoresCanada, where you’ll discover plenty of quality writing to stimulate you imagination.

“A Few Haiku (13)” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry46 Comments

Hi, folks. The latest installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (13)” is now available at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. Many thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte for sharing this mini-collection. Here’s hoping you enjoy them.

“A Few Haiku (13)”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#73)

Those who lost their way
In Aokigahara
Must be remembered

…..

(#74)

In the sea of trees
Koto and shamisen play
Sorrowful dirges

…..

(#75)

When the mist is thick
I can’t see the whip-poor-wills
Calling out to me

You can read the rest of this mini-collection here:

A Few Haiku (13)

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.