Hey, everyone. My poem “The Footbridge” is available for your perusal at Manuela Timofte’s blog In A Love World. Sincere thanks to Manuela for her kindness in sharing my poetry on her wonderful blog.
That derelict footbridge Has finally failed Stranding us on Opposite shores Of the abyss Words Like rotted planks Litter the gorge Below Desires and dreams Dashed Upon indifferent rocks Silence is all I hear from you…
Greetings, folks. Just a note to let you know “There Were Daisies,” a new story collaboration with my friend and poet extraordinaire Joni Caggiano, is available at Hotel by Masticadores. A big tip o’ the cap goes to Joni for sharing this adventure with me and providing her uniquely lyrical and profound writing. You can find more of Joni’s poetry, prose and photography on her blog Rum and Robots. Also, many thanks to editor Michelle Navajas for sharing this story with her readers. Be sure to check out Michelle’s new book Afternoons That Tasted Like Love in Manilla.
The sickly pond, lifeless, the hue of bad dreams and uneasy regrets, fumed quietly, forever giving up its pallid ghost to the aloof heavens. With anguish stinging my dry eyes, I was drawn to a fleeting remembrance…
We sniff petrichor, my wife’s smile brighter than the morning sun. An early kiss of water on the green grass in fertile soil draws us toward a tender embrace. We interlace fingers and hold tight, clinging to this treasured happenstance. We hear the sigh of the oaks and see a white quilt of dandelions and daisies dotting our clear pond. Fish jump as frogs meander along the edge. Bass notes from bullfrogs cling to our ears as my wife begins to pirouette barefoot, and I am without words, enamored and in love with her grace.
Ghosts, my mind whispered, this is a world of ghosts, ephemeral, intangible memories that linger in shadows and call in soundless cries to no one. Where once was life, now there is only the torpid peal of silent bells amid an eternal night…
Also, please consider following and subscribing to Hotel by Masticadores, where you’ll discover a world of wonderfully imaginative and profound writing.
I used to know a Bonobo Who had a silly a grin And every time I’d say “Hello” He’d kick me in the shin
I’d feed him whey and kidney pie It made his tummy sore And when I’d tuck him into bed He’d bite and scream and roar
He played guitar and learned to sing A monkey tour de force And afterwards could barely talk His voice was much too hoarse
And then that fateful day arrived When monkey ran away To seek his fortune on the road To be a man someday
The years have passed like faded leaves That fall from solemn elms I sit alone on evening porch As sadness overwhelms
I watch the west as sun slips down And stars alight the sky Will Bonobo come home someday To visit you and I?
Then hark! What’s that? A hirsute form That gambols down the lane? It’s Bonobo, my monkey friend He’s coming home again!
He shares his tales of travels far O’er whey and kidney pie And plays guitar and sings his songs With twinkles in his eye
And then it’s time to part again My monkey friend and me “I’ll come again another time, I shall return, you’ll see!”
And so I’ll wait until that day With happiness and glee When Bonobo, my monkey friend Comes back to visit me
(Author’s note: Before anyone objects, I do know bonobos are apes, not monkeys. However, for the sake of this piece, I threw caution (and facts) to the wind and used the term “monkey” instead. The term “monkey” just has a much more whimsical connotation than the term “ape.” So, some fact-bending and artistic license were employed. Also, this piece was written for a friend whose username was Bonobo, so changing the name would alter the purpose of the piece. Just a little background if anyone cares.)
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.
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.
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.
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.
Also, please consider following and subscribing to Hotel by Masticadores, where you’ll discover a world of wonderfully imaginative and profound writing.
Hey, everybody. Just a note to let you know my poem “The Trunk” is now live at Manuela Timofte’s blog In A Love World. My sincere appreciation goes to Manuela for her generosity in sharing this poem.
“The Trunk” (c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley
There is a place for things That don’t belong in Other places That sere and weathered Trunk that hunkers lupine-like Amid dust-addled attic shadows Wood split and gouged With time and neglect Iron bands and fittings A crumble of rust Lockless clasp broken From endless breeches And pryings I should have Replaced that lock Eons ago The ill-fitting lid Is too loose More decoration Than function And tends to rattle Of its own accord Far too often For what’s inside wants to Breathe Stretch Pop knuckles Champ teeth And feed And only I can Contain it…
Hello, folks. I’d like to let you know my poem “Bus Stop” is now available to read at LatinosUSA. Much gratitude goes to esteemed editor Michelle Navajas for sharing this poem with all of you. Sincerely appreciated, Michelle.
she stood there stoic and still as a river rock cairn at the crossroads bus stop every afternoon alone save for her reluctant shadow that always seemed to pull away from her clawing at the gravel to unpin itself from this dirty-faced girl with willow whip arms and a mangled knot of corn silk hair…
This weekend marks the launch of The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son, the debut poetry collection from Nigel Byng, an immensely talented writer and creator of the Helping You To Succeed blog. I’ve known Nigel for a while now, and a couple of things stand out to me: his relentless creative drive and his genuine authenticity as a good human being. Nigel is a poet and fiction writer, a collaborator with many others here on WordPress, and an advocate for all who desire to create worlds with words. You can find him lifting up fellow writers on his blog, reaching out to encourage and inspire, and championing his fellow creatives when they publish their works. He is tireless in his quest to capture and convey the human condition in his unique style, and yet he always has time for his writing friends. I know he’s dreamed of having his work published in book format, and now his hard work has come to fruition.
From the book’s blurb:
“Within these pages, you will encounter a boy on a quest. The peripatetic, searching for a home; the stoic chased relentlessly by God, and the rebel confronted by destiny. Somewhere between childhood and a midlife crisis, a reluctant poet found his voice, set aside childish pursuits, and sat with divinity on a cold windswept beach in North Wales. You may join him on this quest, and much like life, it promises to be an adventure. Or, you may sit beside him in quiet contemplation, and chart the familiarity of souls all headed to the same destination. The choice is yours.”
The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son is being released through Michelle Navajas Publishing House. Michelle is a prolific international best-selling poet and editor for the online literary journals Hotel by Masticadores, Masticadores Philippines and LatinosUSA. She is well known for going above and beyond to promote, encourage and advocate for her writers, and her compassionate nature is truly inspiring to all those fortunate enough to work with her.
The estimable and gracious Joni Caggiano handled the editing duties, working long hours with Nigel to mold his manuscript into a brilliant, cohesive collection. Joni herself is an accomplished best-selling poet with many accolades under her belt, and her kindness and sensitivity set her apart from the crowd and lend her poetry a timeless, ethereal quality.
I offer my most sincere congratulations to my buddy Nigel as he lives his dream. I can’t imagine what’s going through his head and heart right now as the release date approaches, but I want him to know I’m proud of him. He’s worked so hard for this. I wish him the best of fortune with this book, and may this be the beginning of a new literary journey for him.
The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son launches May 9 in Asia and May 10 globally, and will be available at Amazon in paperback and Kindle versions.
Silent Pariah 