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

On By Mike U.In Poetry

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.

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

  3. Mike, I love how each of these haiku and senryu capture such vivid, atmospheric moments. #76 is my favorite—there’s something hauntingly beautiful about the “black sea of bitter stars” and “wake of cosmic tears.” It lingers.

    Much love,
    David

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    1. Many thanks, David. I learned an interesting term a couple of years ago from Aaysid, one of my favorite poets here on WP: selenophile, which means “moon lover.” I’ve always been fascinated with the moon and stars. Growing up on a farm in an extremely rural area, there was no ambient light pollution at all so the moon and stars just screamed in the night sky. So intense. I really like writing about the night sky. It seem so incredibly lonely, yet laden with such profound meaning.

      Thanks for your kind words, good sir. Sending good vibes your way from 17° F Colorado. 😊🙏

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    1. Thank you kindly, Maggie, and no worries about the typo–I fixed it. My fingers are mostly numb these days and you wouldn’t believe how often I make typos, including messing up my own name. I can’t even tell you how many times I’ve typed “Milk” instead of “Mike,” which is hilarious because I’m lactose-intolerant! 😁🥛🤢 So, no worries, my friend. 😊

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    1. Thanks, Jeff. I stumbled across Aokigahara a few years ago while researching some info on Japan. I was so saddened by its notoriety as the Suicide Forest. I’ve dealt with major depression all my life and suicidal thoughts are a constant, unwelcome companion of mine. Naturally, I was drawn to learn more about this Sea of Trees and its connection with Asian cultural views on mental illness, which in many places is sort of a taboo topic and results in many folks hiding their suffering. This only makes things worse, of course, and ends up with high suicide rates in many Asian countries. Aokigahara has become a destination for many Asian people who wish to end their lives, similar to the Golden Gate Bridge here in the U.S. Photos of this place leave me with a sense of abject sorrow, incredible stillness and uneasy silence. I’ve referenced this place in a few of my haiku and in one longer poem titled “Sea of Trees” here on my blog. It’s a tragic place, indeed.

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  17. Mike, I read these and within them is such beauty and sadness, that I find myself reading them over and over again. Your work is beautiful, all of it, and your haiku is no different. As always, I look for a favorite, but it is so difficult to find one as they are all so beautiful.

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

    As I am a southern girl and the whip-poor-will has several meanings for me, some good and some bad memories tucked in a place I don’t often open. That one really hit home. They would call all night when we lived in NC and I would often call back to them.

    “Autumn has no shame
    Strips away the world’s facade
    Exposes our sins”

    What a splendid season and one of great beauty, and we can not compare to the bounty or the beauty it provides. What a gift this haiku, Mike. Who can not appreciate the meaning in this piece.

    Thank you for sharing these beautiful pieces with us and sending you my love, and hugs.

    PS There is a movie called the “Sea of Trees,” with some of my favorite actors. We watched it and that is the only time I had ever heard of this place until I read your beautiful haiku.

    Mike, you are someone very special and someone who brings such amazing talent to the community but also humanity. Until I read your honesty online, I always felt a little bit funny about telling my truth. The editors of Masticadores and the founder, Juan Re Crivello, and Mich have been so supportive. Terveen, who we both wrote for was also a blessing in my life. These people become conduits for our truth but also, for me anyway, become people I have such deep respect for as well as love. 🫶

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    1. Thank you, Joni. I always look forward to your comments. You “get” me; you understand what I’m trying to say with my poetry, and I appreciate you for that. Your deeply honest and profound poetry inspires me to be brave and continue to speak what’s in my heart and soul regardless of how dark and painful it may be. That’s been my goal since 2012 when I returned to writing after a twenty-year hiatus.

      I’m pleased to know you enjoyed these little ones. I imagined the abject loneliness of the mist-obscured whip-poor-will and how forlorn and unnerving it must sound to hear what I can’t see (as a deaf guy, reality is the opposite: I can’t hear what I can see). The “death omen” symbolism of the whip-poor-will’s call was definitely an inspiration for #75.

      I wasn’t aware of the film Sea of Trees until after I wrote my poem “Sea of Trees” and several haiku and senryu about this place. I’d like to see the movie sometime, for sure.

      I definitely share your admiration and respect for the editors at Masticadores who have been so kind as to publish our work. For me, Terveen, Nolcha, Manuela, Michelle and Juan have all been godsends and dream-makers, as well as Dagmara over at Spillwords Press. After having given up on my decades-long dream of becoming a published writer, these wonderful people came along and made it happen. I owe them a debt I can never repay. So, I share your sentiments here, Joni.

      Thanks for your support, my friend. It’s always a pleasure to see you stop by and say hello. I appreciate you. Much love to you and Scott. 😊🙏

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  18. Your beautiful words are spellbinding, my friend. I appreciate you more than you can imagine. I am currently reading Diana Peach’s “Tales of the Seasons’ Weaver,” which includes your gorgeous poem at the end. What an amazing book. However, I can’t seem to get organized, my friend. I have read your latest publication twice today, published at Gobblers, and then read them out loud to Scott. However, you know me if I can not take the time to write what I feel about how I am moved by the writing, so I will wait till I do provide a deserving comment. I am feeling overwhelmed again. So many people I owe so much to and honestly just trying to hang in there right now. I am feeling much better but my anxiety has been awful lately and I know that you know why. Enough said there.

    I bought Diana’s book on Kindle, but I love it so much that I would like to promote it as well, so I am thinking of buying the book. I just have so many books that I have bought that I have not had time to read. I am a slow reader. I don’t know how one is supposed to keep up on social media.

    I am sending you my love, my gratitude for your friendship which means so much to me as well. We encourage each other. love you Mike, Joni

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    1. Hi, Joni. I seem to have missed this comment, so I’m a bit late in responding. No worries–I definitely understand about anxiety and pressure and feeling overwhelmed. Take your time and be good to yourself because you deserve it, my friend. You know me–I’m often cocooning because of stress and anxiety and depression, so I end up disappearing from the world for a while, then I must catch up on things, which is stressful, too. Anyway, no worries. Sending you and Scott lots of peace, love and good vibes from my little home to yours! 😊🙏

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      1. Thank you Mike for understanding. Also, that was a long calm man and probably shared too much about myself. I don’t know why I think I have to be that honest to anybody actually that’s a little too honest perhaps. However, I do withdraw and become a bit cocooned when I feel over stressed. I just wanted you to know that we both read this beautiful set of haiku’s and loved your work. Thanks for the sweet message. Big hugs and lots of love. I’m looking forward to catching up. ❤️

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