I’m excited to announce my poem “Snap-beans in a Wooden Bowl” has been published at Spillwords Press. Sincere thanks to Dagmara K. and her team for publishing this piece. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity. I hope you all enjoy it.

“Snap-beans in a Wooden Bowl”
(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley

“snap-beans
in a wooden bowl
and tears
on her cheeks
my mother’s sorrow
exorcised by
the rite of
working hands
the ritual of
silent contemplation
as evening sun
gilded her world
in holy ephemera
her safe place
ensconced
in her own
sacred light
her garden
her universe…”

You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. And once you’re there, take some time to check out the work of many other talented writers at Spillwords Press, where you’ll find a treasure trove of good writing.

Hey, everyone. I’m pleased to announce my poem “Shinrin-yoku” has gone live at Gobblers by Masticadores. Many kind thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte and her staff for publishing this poem. I hope you all enjoy it.

“Shinrin-yoku”
(c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley

“I have bathed in forest’s em’rald essence
I have nestled, secreted away, in
Jade konara copse
I have placed my palms
Soft upon the scabrous skin of giants
Whose slowly beating hearts have shattered stone
Whose deeply delving fingers grip the earth
In lover’s embrace
Eternity is far too brief a time
For such a love as this, for such a love
Trees have for the earth
I have for the trees…”

You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. 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.

I’d like to announce my poem “Exhale” has been published at Gobblers by Masticadores. I appreciate the kindness of Editor Manuela Timofte and her staff for sharing this poem with their readers. Thank you, Manuela!

“Exhale”
(c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley

“A handful of words hastily shaken
Thrown like dice against a filthy brick wall
Skittering across deserted sidewalk
Bouncing into foul gutter rill
Profound thoughts from a tired mind

Is this all I have to say and if so
Does it even matter when no one cares
These words buoyant as a waterlogged corpse
Sink slowly beneath the surface
Of a world bereft of conscience…”

You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. 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.

Hello, friends. I’d like to let you know my poem “A Latticework of Tears” has been published at Gobblers by Masticadores. A big thank you goes to Editor Manuela Timofte and her staff for their kindness in sharing this poem with their wonderful readers. Many thanks, Manuela!

“A Latticework of Tears”
(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley

“autumn rain has come
orb weaver’s sorrowful web
a latticework of tears
a trellis of weathered memories
in this mournful
forgotten meadow
abandoned
as dusk’s demise
renders moot
vestigial joy
and hope
gives up its ghost…”

You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. 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.

I’d like to announce my poem “Platitudes” has been published at Gobblers by Masticadores. I’m grateful to Editor Manuela Timofte and her staff for sharing this poem with their readers. Thanks so much, Manuela!

“Platitudes”
(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley

“the yoke of burdensome veracity
does not comport with those whose vapid souls
would congregate toward lies like moths to flame
and frenzy-feed on poison from the troughs
of those who wish to lead all men astray

thus in the end your heaven’s impotence
could not redeem this unabating hell
and all your pithless ersatz platitudes
lay shattered in inconsequential heaps
the dross of feckless minds and futile means

and though you crow
This truth I know!
as you insist
you ken the gist
of edicts straight
from heaven’s gate
your craven heart
betrays you…”

You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. 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.

I’m happy to announce my poem “When Ivory Kiku Bloom” has been published at Gobblers by Masticadores. Much gratitude goes to Editor Manuela Timofte and her staff for sharing my poetry with their readers. Many thanks, Manuela!

“When Ivory Kiku Bloom”
(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley

“it’s my hope in time to come
when ivory kiku bloom
you’ll remember me
as I remember you

those days so long ago
in absence of joy
fraught with fear and agony
you gazed into the abyss

what did you see in the din
and darkness of depression
what peered back at you
shattered your very soul…”

You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. 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.

I’m pleased to let you know my poem “Still I Toil On” has been published at Gobblers by Masticadores. I’m grateful and indebted to Editor Manuela Timofte and her staff for sharing this piece with their readers. Thank you so much, Manuela!

“Still I Toil On”
(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley

“my old hoe is dull
and the weeds
resist its blade
still I toil on
iron sharpens iron
rust begets rust
the crucible of life
makes or breaks
which shall I choose
do I even have a choice…”

You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. 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.

Hi, folks. Just wanted to let you know my poem “Clarity” has been published at Gobblers by Masticadores. Many thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte and her staff for sharing this poem with their readers. Manuela, your kindness is so appreciated!

“Clarity”
(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley

“in my twilight world the seasons blur
snow on flowers, freezing summer rain
I seek clarity

dim uncertainty
gloaming settles on this silent vale
neither night nor day exists for me

in the mist beyond the frozen stream
yurei whisper in the burning woods
Yomi’s fey lament

nowhere left to go
hesitance and indecisiveness
stranded on the threshold of the fates…”

You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. 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.