“A Few Haiku & Senryu (63)”

On By Mike U.In Poetry

© 2025 by Michael L. Utley

(#373)

burning stars
pinpoints of candle light caught
in her tears

…..

(#374)

in my sorrow
my words struggle to take flight
the empty page

…..

(#375)

in my quiet world
poetry exists not in my ears
but in my heart

…..

(#376)

children played here once
now only ghosts linger
this broken world

…..

(#377)

lock the temple doors
we mustn’t let reality
taint our holy minds

….

(#378)

our humanity
bleeds out in Gaza and Ukraine
just another day

52 thoughts on ““A Few Haiku & Senryu (63)””

      1. I have always loved the depth of your writing, Mike, but I seem to have a new appreciation for its fearlessness, too. Am I only just now noticing the lack of caps and punctation in your haikus, or is that something you’ve done all along? Whichever it is, it really works.

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      2. Hey, Russ. Thanks for your kind words. I used to write with the first letter of each line capitalized, and sometime even with “proper” punctuation (periods, commas), but two or three years ago I made a change. I wanted to simplify my poetry to distinguish it a little more from ordinary prose, so I began to use all lower-case (except when a capital letter is absolutely necessary) and no punctuation (unless needed for clarity, and usually only in the middle of a line, like a comma or a semi-colon). I wanted to free my words and ideas from the normal constraints of typical writing, and it just feels more natural and intuitive for me to write poetry this way. As for fearlessness, I think it’s necessary to say what we mean when we write, and not be afraid. I’m growing a little more fearless as time goes by (maybe it’s just age), but I feel a need to be a little controversial at times to get a point across. Sometimes we write with a quill, sometimes a hammer. I never want to be censored or to censor myself, but at the same time I don’t want to offend anyone. It’s a balancing act, I suppose, but I think the bottom line is I have to write for myself and not for anyone else. If I focus on trying to please others, then I’m nothing but a hack. So, there are times when I try to cut loose a little more and be bold and not worry what anyone else thinks. It’s liberating, and it feels cathartic to let my voice flow unimpeded. I hope that makes sense. Anyhoo, thank you, good sir, for your always stellar support. It means the world to me. 😊

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    1. Many thanks, Ashley. You’re very kind. I hope June has been kind to you thus far (It’s been raining here in southwest Colorado and it’s very pleasant). 😊🌳

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    1. Kindest thanks, Liz. I desperately want to publish a couple of poetry books–one with haiku/senryu and one with normal poems (well, if you consider anything I write “normal”). I’ve not been able to do this so far and it’s incredibly frustrating. There are some obstacles preventing me from achieving this decades-long dream of publishing a book or two (it has to do with the rigid rules of social safety net programs). So, I’m sort of stuck and can’t proceed, and with all the chaos occurring now with this bunch of fascists destroying our government, there’s no telling what will happen to folks like me who must rely on social safety net programs just to survive. I hope there’s a way I can do this at some point. I really want to. I’m just sort of handcuffed at the moment. I see so many of my blogging friends with books and I really want to join the club, you know? I’ve been dreaming of having my own published books since high school, so yeah, it’s something that means a lot to me.

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      1. You’re welcome, Mike. I’m very sorry to hear you’ve been stymied thus far in publishing your poetry. You’re right that now is not the best time to undertake a new venture. Maybe someday in the future?

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    2. Yep, hopefully there will be a time (and sooner rather than later) when I can go ahead and do this. Fingers crossed. And thank you for your kindness, Liz. So very much appreciated, my friend.

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    1. Thank you, Michelle. #377 is a response to the apathy so many religious people exhibit toward the reality of human existence and the extremes they go to in ignoring the pain and suffering of others. I was reminded of a song by the Christian rock band Petra from their 1982 album More Power To Ya. The song is “Rose Colored Stained Glass Windows” and its lyrics describe this apathy and disdain for the plight of the world very succinctly. I’ve always found it incredibly disturbing how the very people who should be doing the most to help those in need are the ones most likely to be derelict in this most basic duty of the church, regardless of denomination or creed or belief system. It sounds cynical, I know, but it’s true, and it seems to be more rampant these days, especially here in the U.S., where white christian nationalism is on the rise and the most awful acts occur daily with the church’s silent consent. It’s a little horrifying, I think.

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  15. All beautiful and thoughtful, Mike. #375 and #377 spoke to me this morning. I think we have to be careful not to the let the monsters steal our souls. We need them intact if there’s going to be something better ahead.

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    1. Thanks, Diana. It’s a difficult task, trying to stay positive in these times, for sure. #377 is actually intended to be ironic in its attempt to call out the hypocrisy of so many “religious” people not only here but abroad who sequester themselves away in their tidy little ivory towers and sing hymns while the world burns. The religious right here in America is greatly to blame for our current fascist dictatorship, having abandoned its moral tenets and embraced a foul monster whom the Bible would describe as the anti-Christ. There’s an old song by a Christian rock band I mentioned in my response to Michelle that addresses this moral failing in the church. And it doesn’t matter who or where–it’s everyone who claims to be holy who embraces hatred, violence, insurrection and fascism. It’s unconscionable that so many people who are supposed to be the good guys have aligned themselves with the enemy. I just wanted to point out that this senryu isn’t extolling the virtues of religion, but rather exposing the systematic hypocrisy that exists in so many (but not all) of those who claim to be followers of a higher power.

      We need a miracle, my friend. I’m so exhausted…

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      1. I understood the irony in 377, my friend. and certainly the disconnect between words and action when it come to most who profess a faith. The religious right has turned me into an atheist. I understand how exhausted you must feel. There are a lot of people fighting this. You aren’t alone.

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  18. Tranature - quiet moments in nature's avatar Tranature - quiet moments in nature

    A beautiful and very poignant collection Mike, I love how the repetition of ‘o’ sounds echoes delicately through the series 💜✍️

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    1. Kindest thanks, Xenia. I look up to you so much as a poet and friend, so when I read your kind comments, I’m just truly grateful. I’m glad you’re here, my friend. Wishing you a peaceful Sunday, and sending you some June sunshine from my world to yours. 😊🌞🌸

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