Month: June 2026

“Walking Tree,” a collaborative poem by Joni Caggiano and Mike Utley, published at LatinosUSA

On By Mike U.In Poetry12 Comments

Hi, folks. “Walking Tree,” a recent poetic collaboration with esteemed poet Joni Caggiano, is now available at LatinosUSA. Many thanks to editor Michelle Navajas for publishing this collaboration, and, of course, to Joni for inviting me to work with her on this piece. It was such an honor and a delight to team up with such a brilliant writer and cherished friend. Joni’s deeply moving writing and stunning photography can be found on her blog, Rum and Robots.

“Walking Tree”
© 2026 collaboration by Joni Caggiano and Mike Utley

sorrow whispers, a trail of ants
vapors torpid, their sting savage
memories choke, a riff on my sanity
night terrors open a door; I navigate

this silence is not silence
it is the groaning of eternity
the synaptic death-throes of
what once made me human

innate images, a stolen span of time
sacred sensations indelibly imprinted
naked bodies on airbrushed fields
heat rises, a bashful sun misleads

the stones of the fallow field
understand this moribund keening
in their granite hearts
atoms tremble and thrum…

You can read the rest of our poem here:

“Walking Tree” © 2026 collaboration by Joni Caggiano and Mike Utley

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

“Fade” published at Manuela Timofte’s blog In A Love World

On By Mike U.In Poetry18 Comments

Hi, friends. My poem “Fade” is now available at Manuela Timofte’s blog In A Love World. I’m grateful to Manuela for continuing to share my poetry with her readers.

“Fade”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

Dusk has fallen as
Stars scream heavenward and doves
Murmur mournfully
Evening-song has come and I
Cannot hear day’s parting cry

Night blooms above as
Insects whisper mysteries
And wolves share solemn
Oaths on phantom breeze and I
Cannot hear dark’s somber sigh…

You can read the rest of my poem here:

Fade

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

Michelle Ayon Navajas’ new book Afternoons That Tasted Like Love in Manila coming July 2026

On By Mike U.In Previews / Reviews20 Comments
Image by Michelle Ayon Navajas

Mark your calendars, everyone—July will usher in the newest book from prolific author/publisher/editor Michelle Ayon Navajas: Afternoons That Tasted Like Love in Manila.

Michelle is an international best-selling author of poetry and prose, editor of several online literary magazines, and a tireless advocate for victims of domestic abuse and violence. A former educator, she now operates her own publishing company, Michelle Ayon Navajas Publishing House, and actively supports and encourages writers of all levels.

Here’s what Michelle has to say about her upcoming book:

“This collection of flash fiction is my love letter to Manila—a city that lives in memory as much as it does in geography. Set against the backdrop of golden afternoons, crowded streets, familiar corners, and fleeting encounters, these stories explore love, loss, longing, and the quiet moments that leave lasting marks on our lives. They are stories about people finding each other and losing each other. About memories that linger long after the moment has passed. About the versions of ourselves we leave behind and the ones we carry forward. Most of all, they are stories about home. Not just the place we come from, but the places and people we continue to return to in our hearts. If you’ve ever missed a city, a person, or a former version of yourself, I hope you’ll find a piece of your own story in these pages.”

A personal note: I’ve known Michelle for a while now. As an editor, she’s published much of my poetry; as a publisher, she’s shared my poetry in her anthology dealing with domestic abuse and violence; as a friend, she’s been incredibly supportive and kind. Michelle represents what all of us should aspire to reach in our lives—a level of compassion, humility and genuine authenticity that spans boundaries and brings people together. It goes without saying that I’m beyond excited for her new book to hit the shelves. Afternoons That Tasted Like Love in Manila promises to be amazing, and I encourage you all to check it out when it launches in July.

Image by Michelle Ayon Navajas

Michelle’s personal blog is Michnavs – Poetry by Mich

“Walking Tree,” a collaborative poem by Joni Caggiano and Mike Utley, published at Hotel by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry34 Comments

Hello, everyone. Recently, I collaborated with esteemed poet Joni Caggiano to create a piece of poetry, and this poem, “Walking Tree,” is now available at Hotel by Masticadores. A special thanks to editor Michelle Navajas for publishing this collaborative effort, and, of course, to Joni for asking me to work with her on this piece. It was truly an honor to team up with such a brilliant writer and wonderful friend. Joni’s profound and moving writing and beautiful photography can be experienced on her blog, Rum and Robots.

“Walking Tree”

© 2026 collaboration by Joni Caggiano and Mike Utley

sorrow whispers, a trail of ants
vapors torpid, their sting savage
memories choke, a riff on my sanity
night terrors open a door; I navigate

this silence is not silence
it is the groaning of eternity
the synaptic death-throes of
what once made me human

innate images, a stolen span of time
sacred sensations indelibly imprinted
naked bodies on airbrushed fields
heat rises, a bashful sun misleads

the stones of the fallow field
understand this moribund keening
in their granite hearts
atoms tremble and thrum…

You can read the rest of our poem here:

“Walking Tree” Collaboration by Joni Caggiano and Mike Utley © 2026

Also, please consider following and subscribing to Hotel by Masticadores, where you’ll discover a world of wonderfully imaginative and profound writing.