Hey, folks. I’d like to let you know my poem “The Farm” has been published at Gobblers & Masticadores. Many thanks to Juan Re Crivello and Manuela Timofte and their staff for sharing my poetry with their readiers. I’m truly grateful for this opportunity. Thank you, Juan and Manuela!
“Nighthawks scream With evening’s descent They know the truth Black god’s-eyes See everything From salmon-hued Heaven As wings fold Bird-bombs dive Preying on the Prayerless Powerless Oblivious Strident-throated Shrieks A mindless alien-avian Warning Turn back There is no hope here…”
You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. Also, don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Gobblers & Masticadores, where you’ll find some wonderful writing and plenty of food for thought.
I’d like to announce my poem “In My Image” has been published at Gobblers & Masticadores. Sincere thanks to Juan Re Crivello and Manuela Timofte and their staff for this opportunity. I’m truly grateful. Thank you, Juan and Manuela!
“Father said I have seen you in my dreams My alabaster boy My pristine son Marked neither with scar nor blemish The innocence of childhood aglow Upon your brow like the light of A thousand suns Your mind untouched By fear and the lies of men Your future the color of Quicksilver and autumn wheat…”
You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. Also, don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Gobblers & Masticadores, where you’ll find some wonderful writing and plenty of food for thought.
This ongoing initiative showcases blogs with fewer than 500 subscribers which I think are deserving of more attention. Hopefully these blogs will spark your interest and you’ll check them out. It’s my way of spreading awareness of talented writers whose work I admire.
This week’s featured blog is Fata Cu Suflet De Cerneală (The Girl with the Ink Soul) by Romanian poet Bianca Alina. My first experience with Bianca’s poetry occurred last year when I saw some of her work published at the various Masticadores literary sites. I was immediately entranced by the passion and intensity of her romantic poetry, her deft skill with words and her deep understanding of the human heart and all it desires. Bianca’s poems speak to the secret yearnings of the heart, the longing for closeness, the sorrow of heartbreak and the singular joy of intimate love. Her words paint beautiful, poignant panoramas of human relationships and emotions and have a unique way of touching the hearts and souls of readers. What’s more, Bianca’s blog also features her original nature photography, and gorgeous images abound. Bianca’s talent is boundless and rejuvenating, and her universal themes of love resonate with all of us.
I asked if Bianca could share a bit about herself:
“I live in Romania. I am very passionate about poetry, learning new languages, and nature photography.
My mother is the one who taught me that language has power. I inherited from her the passion for writing.
I wrote my first poem when I was 11 years old. At 16 years old, I had a few poems published in the high school magazine. I continued writing poetry throughout my university years, but I didn’t publish any poems online. Then, I got my first job and I stopped writing for a long time.
I returned to poetry in 2022, when I started writing on my blog:
Bianca’s poetry reminds us of the love and passion we all carry in our hearts, that desire and intimacy are powerful emotions that both hurt and heal, and that the magic of romance enhances our lives. Take some time and indulge yourselves in Fata Cu Suflet De Cerneală (The Girl with the Ink Soul), where the finest poetry of the heart awaits.
Let’s spread the love and support our fellow bloggers.
I’m excited to announce my poem “Odysseus” has been selected as a featured poem at Spillwords Press. Many thanks to Dagmara K. and her staff for publishing this piece. It’s an incredible honor to share my work with the readers at Spillwords Press, and I’m truly grateful for this opportunity. Sincere thanks, Dagmara. I appreciate it.
“I saw Odysseus sprawled on the sidewalk between The squalid little deli and the boarded-up All-night video place whose weather-stained Posters advertised GIRLS GIRLS GIRLS Amid obtuse indecipherable graffiti and A fallen constellation of multi-hued shards of Broken glass that crunched underfoot like Bone fragments The patina of snow about him Pristine in its absence of footprints from Passers-by…”
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 on Spillwords Press, where you’ll find a treasure trove of good writing.
Hey, everyone. I’d like to let you know my poem “The Golden Door” has been published at Gobblers & Masticadores. Thanks go to Juan Re Crivello and Manuela Timofte and their staff for this opportunity. I’m truly grateful. Thank you, Juan and Manuela!
“The Golden Door” (c) 2017 by Michael L. Utley
“The golden door is caked with blood A patinated crimson tracery Its gilded crest a filigree Of ruined hope
There is a sense of something there Beyond this barrier intransigent A light a balm a restful place But not for me…”
You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. Also, don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Gobblers & Masticadores, where you’ll find some wonderful writing and plenty of food for thought.
“I Can Hear the Water Cry” (c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley
misty river bank I can hear the water cry through its mournful veil
from whence your tears my friend from whence your sorrow the stream of life long and arduous promises nothing takes wantonly yet gives freely drowns dreams yet slakes hope’s thirst erodes time yet blesses leas with hue and humor
I have bathed my feet in your cool waters drunk from cupped hands of your living essence and watched as villages flood and crops perish your fickle nature both boon and bane the rage of winter’s run-off the futility of summer’s drought the chaos of confusion the trauma of neglect
regrets eddy among the reeds koi doze in shadow-torpor levitating dragonflies iridesce oblivious to your siren-song your current inexorable immutable fate’s dynamo
what of your sadness what fears drive you what memories haunt your hidden heart speak to me, friend share your burden help me understand your tears
there is purity in kindness absolution in love such a pity a solitary meadow’s stream a rill of life darkened by despair
I see you, stream I hear your halting whisperings I smell your vital fragrance I feel your urgent motion I sense your profound depth you are not alone my friend the mountain cradles you the forest shades you the flowers dance to your melody let the sun gild your surface let the moon caress you let your heart be unencumbered flow, my friend just flow
This ongoing initiative showcases blogs with fewer than 500 subscribers which I think are deserving of more attention. Hopefully these blogs will spark your interest and you’ll check them out. It’s my way of spreading awareness of talented writers whose work I admire.
This week’s featured blog is Travelling Therese. I first came across Therese’s blog a couple of years ago when she left a kind comment on one of my nature photography posts. Her blog hooked me immediately. Therese has traveled the world and has documented her adventures as only a seasoned journalist/traveler can. Her posts share in detail the sights and sounds of various locales, and present an intimate portrait of these far-away destinations. I think what initially grabbed my attention was her many entries about her adventures in Japan. Anyone who knows me can tell you I’m fascinated with Asian culture, particularly Japanese culture, and reading Therese’s stories of her Japanese treks allowed me to experience Japan vicariously through her eloquent and in-depth writing and stunning photography.
I asked Therese if she could provide some background about herself and her travels. Here’s what she had to say:
“I am a retired Australian News Journalist, with a continuing keen interest in travelling to explore the world and its cultures. As a Journalist, I never actually worked as a travel writer, and only began writing about my holidays as a hobby.
I have been fortunate enough to achieve my travel dreams since my late teens, back in the early 1970’s, when I backpacked on a shoe string budget, mainly staying in youth hostels. Most of my trips have been self researched and undertaken independently with no assistance from a travel agent.
Researching and putting together a trip is a large part of my travel enjoyment, and I love sharing what I have learnt with others. A camera has always been at my side, so I usually have an abundance of my own travel photos to share on my blog.
I’m still travelling as I move well into older age – Japan has been my main International area of interest for the past 22 years.
My Dad travelled the seas as a young sailor, visiting many countries around the world, until he settled down to a family life. He had wonderful story telling and writing skills, and his travel tales and experiences sparked my own interest in travelling the world. A book he gave me when I was a child – Jules Verne’s Around the World in 80 Days – also was a source of inspiration to travel.
As a young teenager I had two possible careers in mind – Journalism or a travel agent! Luckily, I achieved a Cadetship in Journalism, a well paid job with six weeks holiday time a year that enabled me to travel frequently within Australia and overseas.
By the time I was 25, I had visited 25 countries – some only for a couple of days, others for lengthy periods. I also later lived in Canada for a year and in New Zealand for two years.
Many of my travels when I was younger were embarked on alone. Luckily, my husband has been my travel companion now for many decades, always ready to follow and support my travel ideas.”
On Therese’s travel blog, you’ll find entries on Australia, New Zealand, Japan and Singapore (another Asian destination that holds a special place in my heart). With so many amazing adventures from which to choose, it was difficult for me to decide on a particular post to showcase here, so I’m featuring three, all of which are representative of Therese’s skillful writing and story-telling, as well as her beautiful photography:
Therese’s ability to take her readers by the hand and lead us along with her on her international journeys allows us to experience the joy she feels on her adventures, making Travelling Therese an absolutely wonderful destination of its own. Thank you, Therese, my friend, for showing us the world through your eyes.
Let’s spread the love and support our fellow bloggers.
I’d like to announce my poem “The Trunk” has been published at Gobblers & Masticadores. Many thanks to Juan Re Crivello and Manuela Timofte and their staff for this opportunity to share my poetry with their readers. I’m sincerely grateful. Thank you, Juan and Manuela!
“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…”
You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. Also, don’t forget to follow and subscribe to Gobblers & Masticadores, where you’ll find some wonderful writing and plenty of food for thought.
This ongoing initiative showcases blogs with fewer than 500 subscribers which I think are deserving of more attention. Hopefully these blogs will spark your interest and you’ll check them out. It’s my way of spreading awareness of talented writers whose work I admire.
This week’s featured blog is Ashley’s A Different View. I first met Ashley in November 2021 when he and I were both invited to take part in a discussion titled “Exploring Basho’s Moon,” an examination of one of Basho’s famous haiku, hosted by Mark Scott’s Season Words blog. I found Ashley to be the kindest fellow imaginable, and his delicate skill regarding the writing of traditional haiku was astounding. Since then, I’ve come to consider Ashley a good friend of mine, someone whose love of nature and poetic ability create a sense of peace and serenity. Ashley speaks my language, you could say, and his blog is a calm harbor of natural beauty and exemplary writing.
I asked Ashely if he’d like to provide a little background about himself and his blog. I’ll let his own words do the talking:
I’m 74 years old and married to Carol for 52 years although we were courting about 5 years before that so we’ve been together for at least 57 years
whilst Carol has had so much illness in her life (cancer x 4 + heart problems) SHE is still my rock
I’m a great grandfather
I was born in the city of Armagh in Northern Ireland to northern English parents
Armagh was the ancient capital of Christian Ireland & whilst no longer a practicing Christian, the sound of cathedral bells is in my heart (see John Betjeman: Summoned By Bells)
left home at 21 to live & work in London, UK. Work location then was close to the River Thames & that river flows within me still
30 years spent living & working in England in the clothing industry: after redundancy, aged 45, worked in various jobs (transport, retail, health service) now retired
returned to NI some years ago
did voluntary work with the Woodland Trust (30+ years). LOVE trees, obsessed by them
through WordPress discovered haiku & writing in season
have always wanted to write & illustrate
lower back problems meant that I restarted my life, exercising daily, a mixture of physio exercises & Qi Gong
I have only ever travelled outside the UK about 3 or 4 times but follow blogs all around the world. With tools like Google Translate I am amazed how many different cultures & languages I am able to connect with
I love the simplicity of seasonal haiku
I would be remiss were I not to mention that one thing I find intriguing about Ashley’s blog is that I have some Irish ancestry, and the Emerald Isle is a land I’ve always wanted to explore. I’m able to do that vicariously through Ashley’s writing and photography. Ashley’s essays take us on strolls through the Irish countryside among wild flowers and the trees he loves so dearly, and his haiku–distilled to their very essence–paint glorious pictures of the natural world. For an example of what A Different View offers, here’s a post Ashley chose to share:
In a nutshell, if you love nature, if you appreciate fine Japanese short-form poetry, if you’ve ever felt the desire to travel to Ireland, Ashley’s A Different View has it all. I hope you’ll visit Ashley’s blog and walk along with him among the trees.
Let’s spread the love and support our fellow bloggers.
Hey, folks. I’d like to announce my essay “The Deaf Guy” has been published at the new literary website India & Masticadores. Many thanks to Editor Abhilash Fraizer and his team for the opportunity to share my writing at India & Masticadores. I truly appreciate it. Thank you, Abhilash!
Also, please consider following and subscribing to India & Masticadores, where you’ll find unique voices and captivating topics to spur your imagination.
Silent Pariah 