Author: Mike U.

“A Tanka Trio (5)” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry30 Comments

Hi, friends. The fifth installment of my tanka series titled “A Tanka Trio (5)” is now available at Gobblers by Masticadores. Each of these installments contains three tanka (be sure to click this link or the link below to read all of them). Sincere thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte for publishing this installment. These three tanka are rather dark as they’re based on memories of domestic abuse from my childhood.

“A Tanka Trio (5)”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#13)

It is only blood
Just a cut on father’s head
Battered mother weeps
I have slain the beast for now
Ten-year-old son dies inside

…..

(#14)

In the backyard ball
Bounces against shed all day
Louder louder must
Drown out monster’s roaring voice
Dusty tears streak child’s face

You can read the rest of this tanka installment here:

A Tanka Trio (5)

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.

Update: I’ve Been Selected as Author of the Month for April 2025 at Spillwords Press

On By Mike U.In Poetry83 Comments

Hello, everyone. It is with a humble spirit and much gratitude that I let you know I have been named Author of the Month for April 2025 at Spillwords Press for my poem “The Bonfire.” I’m sincerely grateful for your wonderful support and for showing your kindness that is so indicative of this little writing community of ours. It was a surprise to receive the nomination, and even more so to read the notification from Editor Dagmara K. that I had been selected. So, please know I’m indebted to all of you for your constant support and friendship. This is an honor for me, but it’s more a reflection of the amazing people who populate this community and truly care for one another. I like to say we’re all in this together, and when an individual achieves some form of recognition—no matter how large or small–it’s a team achievement. Your generous support is cherished.

Also, thank you so much, Dagmara, for this opportunity and for publishing my poetry at Spillwords Press. I appreciate all you’ve done for me and hope to continue sharing my writing with your esteemed readers in the future.

I’m especially delighted that my good friend Maggie Watson’s stunning poem “The Forest” was also named Publication of the Month for April 2025. I’m so happy for her, and she is totally deserving of this honor. Huge congratulations, my dear friend!

Thanks again, everyone, for your graciousness. It means a lot to me. 😊🙏❤️

Voting for Spillwords Press April 2025 Awards ends April 29

On By Mike U.In Poetry28 Comments

Hey, everyone. Just a quick reminder in case you missed it. I’m honored to be nominated for Author of the Month for April 2025 for my poem “The Bonfire” at Spillwords Press. I’m grateful to editor Dagmara K. for this wonderful surprise, and just wanted to post a brief reminder that voting ends April 29 in case anyone would like to check out my poem and lend a vote. Also, my good friend and absolutely brilliant poet Maggie Watson has a poem nominated for Publication of the Month titled “The Forest.” It’s sublime poetry from an amazingly talented writer. So, please cast a vote and support Maggie, too. She’s very much deserving of this award. You may find links to Maggie’s poem, my poem and the Spillwords Press voting page here:

“The Forest” by Maggie Watson

“The Bonfire” by Michael L. Utley

https://spillwords.com/vote/

Also, do visit Maggie’s blog if you can. Her poetry is poignant, intense and deeply moving:

Ephemeral Encounters by Maggie Watson

Your kind support would be greatly appreciated. I hope you enjoy the poems.

“A Few Haiku (16)” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry29 Comments

Just a note to let everyone know the latest installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (16)” is now live at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. I sincerely appreciate Editor Manuela Timofte for sharing this mini-collection. Here’s hoping they connect with you.

“A Few Haiku (16)”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#91)

How can hope survive
Solitary kitchen chair
And the empty bed

…..

(#92)

These old feet are numb
Memories are bitter cold
I must watch my step

…..

(#93)

I sought from the fox
Wisdom; he gave me instead
A flash of his tail

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

A Few Haiku (16)

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’ve Been Nominated for Author of the Month at Spillwords Press for My Poem “The Bonfire”

On By Mike U.In Poetry49 Comments

Hey, everyone. I’m excited to let you know I’ve been nominated for Author of the Month for April 2025 at Spillwords Press for my poem “The Bonfire.”  Many thanks to Dagmara K. and her staff for publishing my poem and for this wonderful honor and opportunity.

I’m especially thrilled as this poem speaks out against fascism and censorship, which have now taken over our government here in America as right-wing extremists tear our democratic institutions apart and kidnap and deport citizens who exercise their First Amendment right to freedom of speech. It’s one of the most important pieces I’ve ever written, and it would mean a lot to me to expand the reach of this poem so more folks could read its crucial message. As writers, our words are our swords in our fight against fascism and tyranny, and we must not remain silent against this existential threat to our democracy and our way of life.

If you’d care to cast your vote for my poem, all you need to do is register at Spillwords Press (it’s free and takes only a couple of minutes). Voting is open from April 26th-29th. You may cast your vote by following this link:  

https://spillwords.com/vote/

Self-promotion is not my strong point, and I don’t have any social media accounts to solicit votes, so this sort of thing is a bit awkward for me. It’s my sincere hope you’ll take a few minutes to read my poem and cast your vote. I’d be beyond delighted 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, I’d appreciate it so much.

Congratulations and all the best to the other nominees. 

“A Few Haiku (15)” Published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry38 Comments

Hey, folks. The latest installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (15)” is now live at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. Many thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte for sharing this mini-collection. I hope you like them.

“A Few Haiku (15)”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#85)

Fruit rots on the ground
In unattended orchard
Our love slowly dies

…..

(#86)

I plant hopes and dreams
In the fertile soil but I
Still must pray for rain

…..

(#87)

Sly kitsune slinks
Among magenta kiku
Shrewd white-tip-tailed imp

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

A Few Haiku (15)

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.

“Heceta Head Lighthouse” and “Sea Stacks Near Newport” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Photography9 Comments

Hi, friends. Recently, I’ve had a couple of my nature photography images titled “Heceta Head Lighthouse” and “Sea Stacks Near Newport” featured at Gobblers by Masticadores. Many thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte for her kindness in sharing my passion for nature photography with all of you. I’m truly grateful, Manuela.

You can view the images and their accompanying commentaries here:

Heceta Head Lighthouse
Sea Stacks Near Newport

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.

“The Bonfire” published at Spillwords Press

On By Mike U.In Poetry48 Comments

Hey, friends. I’m excited to let you know my poem “The Bonfire” has been published at Spillwords Press. Many thanks to Dagmara K. and her team for sharing this piece. I truly appreciate this opportunity.

This piece is especially important to me as it reflects America’s new fascist government’s crackdown on freedom of speech and basic human rights. Censorship of any type is oppression, and our current darkness here in the USA is a direct result of the evils of fascist authoritarian ideology, as well as hatred, racism, bigotry and power run amok. We need to fix this soon, my friends, lest it destroys us all.

“The Bonfire”
(c) 2022 by Michael L. Utley

“in our exuberance to burn the words
Bradbury sagely nods and Orwell sighs
as shock-troopers corral the motley herds
and churlish masses watch with sullen eyes

bonfires glow red in every city square
eight thousand million names recited there
black smoke and fetid fumes assault the air
as filthy faces flicker in the glare…”

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.

“A Tanka Trio (4)” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry16 Comments

Hey, everyone. The fourth installment of my tanka series titled “A Tanka Trio (4)” is now live at Gobblers by Masticadores. Each of these installments contains three tanka (be sure to click this link or the link below to read all of them). A special thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte for publishing this installment as all three tanka in this set are especially appropriate at this time, given the destruction of American democracy by right-wing fascists.

“A Tanka Trio (4)”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#10)

Ersatz patriots
Gabble lustily amid
Smoke and blood and screams
Mindless primal mob worships
Q-birthed abomination

…..

(#11)

What have we become
Sun sets on all we have known
Cultists rend and tear
The soul of democracy
Freedom’s heart weeps in darkness

You can read the rest of this tanka installment here:

A Tanka Trio (4)

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.

“Sheep Mountain & Beaver Pond” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Photography24 Comments

Hi, folks. I’d like to let you know one of my nature photography images titled “Sheep Mountain & Beaver Pond” has been featured at Gobblers by Masticadores. I appreciate Editor Manuela Timofte sharing my passion for nature photography with all of you. Thank you kindly, Manuela. I hope you enjoy seeing the natural world through my eyes.

You can view the image and its accompanying commentary here:

Sheep Mountain & Beaver Pond

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.