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

On By Mike U.In Poetry

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:

Heroic

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

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

    1. Thank you, Maggie. The thought of homelessness terrifies me, and it’s a real possibility for me in the very near future. We’re all just one catastrophe (or one malignant politician) away from losing everything.

      I hope you’re doing well, my dear friend. Sending you some Colorado blessings on this icy morning (27° F). 😊

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    1. Thanks, Carol. This time of year is always so difficult for so many people, especially those who find themselves without shelter in the bitter cold. So many of us (myself included) are one unexpected catastrophe away from being homeless. It’s a huge personal fear of mine. How we treat those less fortunate is an accurate barometer of the state of humanity. Right now, it looks pretty grim.

      I hope you’re staying warm (and thanks for posting that lasagna recipe on your blog!). Have a good weekend, my friend. 😊

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  6. Dearest Mike, this made me cry. I love this piece for so many reasons. Your writing is so exquisitely spaced with a cadence that sets the tone for this self-reflective and sad poem about a young boy that meets himself on a beach and perhaps offers some comfort. Such a mastery in your poetry. I want to be remembered when I die for my work – but I know your work will be remembered. It is so amazingly visual. Every line paints an emotive moment that was bringing me to tears.

    I suppose I see myself in your lines. Your work here is just so brilliant.

    For some reason these lines touched my heart so deeply – it was like me seeing myself in the field I went to cry out to God to pick me up and bring me home.

    “Where rainwater pooled and eddied before
    Dispersing first through his skinny legs
    Then between the filthy slats of the bench
    To merge with the noisy gutter rill
    And then with the sewage below
    And then the poisonous river
    And then the darkness of the ocean
    Of some other universe”

    A depth where no one wants or should ever feel they are, and yet we did. Manuela thank you so much for this publication. Seeing Mike’s words are a gift. Blessings to you and to Mike.

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    1. Hi, Joni. It’s always such a pleasure to read your comments. It looks like this piece really resonated with you. The despair in this poem is so palpable to me, the loneliness and hopelessness, the invisibility of humanity and the lack of care…and yet, at the end, compassion triumphs and hope is somehow restored. Kindness is a free gift we all possess, and too many of us hold onto it with all of our strength rather than give it away to those who need it. I wanted to show that, even in the worst of times, we can still be decent human beings and love one another and display empathy. Even buried, trampled, bludgeoned hope is still hope.

      Thank you for your kind words, as always. Your light shines so brightly in each and every word you wrote in this comment, and I appreciate you, my friend. I hope you and Scott have a good weekend. 😊

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      1. You are so welcome and it is entirely my pleasure. This piece had a profound effect on me for many personal reasons. Just so incredibly emotive. Your words were brilliantly moving.

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    1. Thanks so much, Peggy. This poem is sort of special to me as it deals with homelessness and poverty and compassion. So many of us are so close to living on the streets, and for way too many people these homeless folks are invisible. We can do better, and we must. I appreciate you, my friend, and wish you a good weekend ahead. 😊

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    1. Many kind thanks for your generous comment, Ashley. Your words mean a lot to me, my friend. I’m sincerely glad to know this poem resonated with you. So much of my writing deals with the dark side of humanity, but this one surprised me with how it ended (I honestly didn’t see it coming as I was writing it). That sudden, unexpected hope can change lives for the better. Thank you for your sterling support, good sir. It means the world to me. Wishing you a splendid weekend. 😊🌳

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