Author: Mike U.

“The Daisy Ring” published at LatinosUSA

On By Mike U.In Poetry6 Comments

Greetings, friends. Just a note to let you know my poem “The Daisy Ring” has been published at LatinosUSA. Editor Michelle Navajas does such a wonderful job of sharing various writers’ offerings with her readers and it’s always an honor to be published by her. I’m sincerely grateful, Michelle.

“The Daisy Ring”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

“I found thee in a faerie copse…”

“Hmm?” she murmured
Her gaze caught somewhere
In the rainy neon night-world
Beyond the coffee shop window
Her fingers weightless
Feather-like
In my hand
Ethereal
Furnace-hot

“I found thee in a faerie copse
Alighting on each flower fair
And as I ‘proached thee in the hopes
Of snaring thee in lovers’ ropes
Thou disappeared into thin air…”

She looked at me then
A faint smile teasing
Her lips
“Your poetry is terrible,” she said…

You can read the rest of my poem here:

“The Daisy Ring”by Michael L. Utley

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

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

On By Mike U.In Poetry36 Comments

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:

Exploring Poetry – A weekly reading series – Ep 9: Wisdom by Michael L. Utley

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

On By Mike U.In Poetry22 Comments

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.

“This World is Yours” published at LatinosUSA

On By Mike U.In Poetry27 Comments

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:

“This World is Yours” by Michael L. Utley

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

On By Mike U.In General36 Comments
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. 😊

“January’s Scion” Published at Manuela Timofte’s In A Love World Blog

On By Mike U.In Poetry16 Comments

Hey, friends. Just want to let you know my poem “January’s Scion” has been published at Manuela Timofte’s blog In A Love World. I’m grateful to Manuela for her kindness in sharing this piece with all of you.

“January’s Scion”
© 2022 by Michael L. Utley

January’s scion, born of winter
messenger of midnight’s dark domain
harbinger of fearful futures
herald of the past’s persistence
bearer of remembrances of
what shall surely be

I’ve succumbed to January’s Janus
peering ever forward and behind
frozen firmly on the threshold
of what was and what may soon be
doomed to bear the weight of all things
for eternity…

You can read the rest of my poem here:

January’s Scion

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

I’ve Been Nominated for Author of the Year for the Spillwords Press 2026 Awards

On By Mike U.In Poetry90 Comments
Image © Spillwords Press

Hey, everyone. I’m delighted to announce I’ve been nominated for Author of the Year at Spillwords Press for my poem “The Bonfire.”  This Spillwords Press 2026 Awards nomination is more than just an honor for me, it’s a validation of my voice as a deaf, introverted writer who wants desperately to connect with people. I’m grateful to Dagmara K. and her staff for publishing my poem and for this wonderful opportunity.

You can read my poem here:

https://spillwords.com/the-bonfire/

If you’d care to vote for me, all you need to do is register at Spillwords Press (it’s free and takes only a couple of minutes). Voting runs from January 26 through January 30. You may cast your vote by following this link: 

https://spillwords.com/vote/

People who know me understand that self-promotion is not my strong point so this sort of thing is always awkward for me. I don’t have any social media presence whatsoever so it’s difficult to get the word out. I believe these awards should be merit-based on the quality of the writing, not on social media popularity. With that said, it’s my sincere hope you’ll take a few minutes to read my poem and cast your vote, and if you enjoy my poem, please spread the word. I’d be beyond grateful 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 for Author of the Year, I’d appreciate it so much.

As an exciting side note, a couple of my good blogging friends are up for awards as well. Maggie Watson has been nominated for both Author of the Year and Publication of the Year, and Lauren Scott is in the running for Publication of the Year. I’m so proud of both of these friends for the recognition of their excellence and I wish both of them the best of luck in the voting.

Congratulations and all the best to all the other nominees. 

“The Cairn” published at LatinosUSA

On By Mike U.In Poetry36 Comments

Hello, friends. Just a quick note to let you know my poem “The Cairn” is now available at LatinosUSA. Many thanks to editor Michelle Navajas for being so kind as to publish this piece. Truly appreciated, Michelle.

“The Cairn”
© 2023 by Michael L. Utley

a handful of stones
the currency of a hardened heart
cannot purchase a reprieve
from the weight of mountains
upon my soul

scree of memories
who can navigate the slope
of ankle-breaking regrets
the sharpened shale
of the empty slate
where hope
was once etched
and now only
dust remains…

You can read the rest of my poem here:

“The Cairn”by Michael L. Utley

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

“A Few Haiku & Senryu (64)”

On By Mike U.In Poetry43 Comments

© 2025 by Michael L. Utley

(#379)

my life
bereft of kin and ken
December trees

…..

(#380)

a whisper of hope
just enough
to tear me to pieces

…..

(#381)

these heavy skies
and the burdens they carry
dove’s cries

…..

(#382)

expectant hush
beginnings and endings
we yearn for both

…..

(#383)

don’t ask of my heart
there are dark places therein
even I fear to tread

…..

(#384)

a journey
of a thousand lies begins with
“I love you”

“A Few Haiku (23)” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry21 Comments

Hey, friends. If you’re in the mood for some haiku and senryu, Gobblers by Masticadores has published the latest installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (23).” These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. Many thanks to editor Manuela Timofte for sharing my poetry with all of you.

“A Few Haiku (23)”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#133)

winter blizzard
mountain’s clouded mind confused
avalanche of thoughts

…..

(#134)

my life stains the page
complicated crimson kanji
too obscure to read
…..

(#135)

arctic kitsune
little blizzard stalks the drifts
crimson raicho plumes

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

A Few Haiku (23)

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.