My Poem “Wisdom” Featured in Nigel Byng’s Exploring Poetry Series

Hey, friends. The estimable and supremely talented Nigel Byng has graciously featured my poem “Wisdom” in his Exploring Poetry initiative on his blog Helping You To Succeed. This series explores the poetry of various authors as Nigel reads each piece and takes a deep-dive of analysis and interpretation to explore beyond the words. I am absolutely honored and humbled to have one of my poems included in this series. Nigel is an accomplished storyteller and poet, and his kindness and generosity are well-known in this WordPress writing community. He makes it his mission to lift up fellow writers, to shine the light on others, and to offer compassionate support and encouragement. He most definitely represents the very best of this community, and it’s my profound pleasure to call him my friend.

You can check out Nigel’s reading and analysis of my poem here:

Also, be sure to take your own deep-dive into Nigel’s short fiction and poetry on his blog. He is blessed with uncanny ability and keen insight into the human condition. Simply put, he’s brilliant.

Helping You To Succeed

Thank you, my brother Nigel, for this wonderful gift. You presence in this community is a godsend and I’m beyond grateful for your kindness and support.

“Heroic” published at Manuela Timofte’s blog In a Love World

Hi, folks. My poem “Heroic” has been published at Manuela Timofte’s blog In A Love World. Many thanks to Manuela for sharing this poem. Truly grateful for your kind gesture, Manuela.

“Heroic”
© 2013 by Michael L. Utley

The kid was too young
This distant uncanny boy
Face absconded
Into the murky depths of his
Drenched and threadbare
Crimson hoodie
Eyes mere pinpricks
Of sentience in the shadows
Where his face should be
On this pouring midnight
Sidewalk where even the rain seemed
Exhausted in the scornful cones
Of streetlamp illumination
And unseen clouds sighed above
Too tired for the bluster and pretense
Of thunder
And he sat there in this mess of a night
On a bench where no bus would ever stop
For anyone at anytime for any reason
Staring into the distance at both
Something and nothing at once
Moveless save for an occasional shiver
Waiting for someone or something
Or perhaps nothing at all…

You can read the rest of my poem here:

Also, please consider following and subscribing to In A Love World, a place where wonderful poetry abounds.

“This World is Yours” published at LatinosUSA

Hello, everyone. My poem “This World is Yours” has been published at LatinosUSA. Sincere thanks to editor Michelle Navajas for sharing this piece with her readers. I’m truly grateful, Michelle.

“This World is Yours”
© 2023 by Michael L. Utley

you thought you could
save the world
wee lad
you couldn’t even
save yourself

those bleak nighthawk skies
where dead stars fall
like blood-bloated flies
and fey winds howl
in deafened ears
a behemoth’s fetid exhalation
violent and ignorant
and inexorable

breathe
breathe it all in
the sweat-soaked fear
the bitter tang of futility
fill your lungs
wee lad
this world is yours
as far as tear-blurred
eyes can see…

You can read the rest of my poem here:

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

Congratulations to Lauren Scott, Winner of Spillwords Press Publication of the Year

Image © Lauren Scott

A big shout-out to my friend and writer extraordinaire Lauren Scott for taking home the honor of Publication of the Year in the Spillwords Press 2026 Awards. Lauren’s brilliance shines whether she’s writing poetry or prose, and her poetry collections are beautiful and soulful and well worth reading. Lauren’s winning poem “I Am From” can be read here:

https://spillwords.com/i-am-from/

Lauren’s work touches hearts and souls, and her love for nature is evidenced in her gorgeous poetry and photography. Be sure to check out Lauren’s work on her blog Baydreamer Writes here:

https://baydreamerwrites.com/

Wishing you continued success in all of your writing endeavors, Lauren. I’m proud of you, my friend. 😊