Month: April 2025

Voting for Spillwords Press April 2025 Awards ends April 29

On By Mike U.In Poetry28 Comments

Hey, everyone. Just a quick reminder in case you missed it. I’m honored to be nominated for Author of the Month for April 2025 for my poem “The Bonfire” at Spillwords Press. I’m grateful to editor Dagmara K. for this wonderful surprise, and just wanted to post a brief reminder that voting ends April 29 in case anyone would like to check out my poem and lend a vote. Also, my good friend and absolutely brilliant poet Maggie Watson has a poem nominated for Publication of the Month titled “The Forest.” It’s sublime poetry from an amazingly talented writer. So, please cast a vote and support Maggie, too. She’s very much deserving of this award. You may find links to Maggie’s poem, my poem and the Spillwords Press voting page here:

“The Forest” by Maggie Watson

“The Bonfire” by Michael L. Utley

https://spillwords.com/vote/

Also, do visit Maggie’s blog if you can. Her poetry is poignant, intense and deeply moving:

Ephemeral Encounters by Maggie Watson

Your kind support would be greatly appreciated. I hope you enjoy the poems.

“A Few Haiku (16)” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry29 Comments

Just a note to let everyone know the latest installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (16)” is now live at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. I sincerely appreciate Editor Manuela Timofte for sharing this mini-collection. Here’s hoping they connect with you.

“A Few Haiku (16)”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#91)

How can hope survive
Solitary kitchen chair
And the empty bed

…..

(#92)

These old feet are numb
Memories are bitter cold
I must watch my step

…..

(#93)

I sought from the fox
Wisdom; he gave me instead
A flash of his tail

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

A Few Haiku (16)

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.

I’ve Been Nominated for Author of the Month at Spillwords Press for My Poem “The Bonfire”

On By Mike U.In Poetry49 Comments

Hey, everyone. I’m excited to let you know I’ve been nominated for Author of the Month for April 2025 at Spillwords Press for my poem “The Bonfire.”  Many thanks to Dagmara K. and her staff for publishing my poem and for this wonderful honor and opportunity.

I’m especially thrilled as this poem speaks out against fascism and censorship, which have now taken over our government here in America as right-wing extremists tear our democratic institutions apart and kidnap and deport citizens who exercise their First Amendment right to freedom of speech. It’s one of the most important pieces I’ve ever written, and it would mean a lot to me to expand the reach of this poem so more folks could read its crucial message. As writers, our words are our swords in our fight against fascism and tyranny, and we must not remain silent against this existential threat to our democracy and our way of life.

If you’d care to cast your vote for my poem, all you need to do is register at Spillwords Press (it’s free and takes only a couple of minutes). Voting is open from April 26th-29th. You may cast your vote by following this link:  

https://spillwords.com/vote/

Self-promotion is not my strong point, and I don’t have any social media accounts to solicit votes, so this sort of thing is a bit awkward for me. It’s my sincere hope you’ll take a few minutes to read my poem and cast your vote. I’d be beyond delighted to have your support. I’ve always believed my poetry should do the talking, not me, so if you find my poem worthy of your vote, I’d appreciate it so much.

Congratulations and all the best to the other nominees. 

“A Few Haiku (15)” Published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry38 Comments

Hey, folks. The latest installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (15)” is now live 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. I hope you like them.

“A Few Haiku (15)”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#85)

Fruit rots on the ground
In unattended orchard
Our love slowly dies

…..

(#86)

I plant hopes and dreams
In the fertile soil but I
Still must pray for rain

…..

(#87)

Sly kitsune slinks
Among magenta kiku
Shrewd white-tip-tailed imp

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

A Few Haiku (15)

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.

“Heceta Head Lighthouse” and “Sea Stacks Near Newport” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Photography9 Comments

Hi, friends. Recently, I’ve had a couple of my nature photography images titled “Heceta Head Lighthouse” and “Sea Stacks Near Newport” featured at Gobblers by Masticadores. Many thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte for her kindness in sharing my passion for nature photography with all of you. I’m truly grateful, Manuela.

You can view the images and their accompanying commentaries here:

Heceta Head Lighthouse
Sea Stacks Near Newport

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.

“The Bonfire” published at Spillwords Press

On By Mike U.In Poetry48 Comments

Hey, friends. I’m excited to let you know my poem “The Bonfire” has been published at Spillwords Press. Many thanks to Dagmara K. and her team for sharing this piece. I truly appreciate this opportunity.

This piece is especially important to me as it reflects America’s new fascist government’s crackdown on freedom of speech and basic human rights. Censorship of any type is oppression, and our current darkness here in the USA is a direct result of the evils of fascist authoritarian ideology, as well as hatred, racism, bigotry and power run amok. We need to fix this soon, my friends, lest it destroys us all.

“The Bonfire”
(c) 2022 by Michael L. Utley

“in our exuberance to burn the words
Bradbury sagely nods and Orwell sighs
as shock-troopers corral the motley herds
and churlish masses watch with sullen eyes

bonfires glow red in every city square
eight thousand million names recited there
black smoke and fetid fumes assault the air
as filthy faces flicker in the glare…”

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.