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.

I’d like to announce my poem “Air/Water/Air” is now live at Gobblers By Masticadores. Thanks so much to Manuela Timofte and her staff for publishing this piece. I’m truly grateful, Manuela!

“Air/Water/Air”
© 2012 by Michael L. Utley

“There is no air
Down there
Down in the dark
Where I choke
On my life
Nature abhors
A vacuum
But rage
Thrives
Therein…”

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.

Hey, everyone. I’d like to let you know my poem “Stream Among the Reeds” has gone live at Gobblers By Masticadores. A mighty thank you to Manuela Timofte and her staff for publishing my poetry—it’s most definitely an honor for me. I’m sincerely grateful, Manuela!

“Stream Among the Reeds”
(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley

“stream among the reeds
peeks at me through cattails
laughs and runs away
do you know you have my heart
do you, little one

I am but an old man now
nearing the clearing
in the woods where I will lie
among columbines
and verdant ferns to make peace

with the universe
every season has its end
every leaf must fall
Luna’s aspect silver-sheened
cycles heavenward…”

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 delighted to announce my poem “Wisdom” has been selected as a featured poem at Spillwords Press. Many thanks to Dagmara K. and her team 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.

“Wisdom”
(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley

“I attain wisdom
not from church or pagoda
temple or tabernacle
but from wood and stream
respite achieved through contemplation
of cloud reflections on cobalt alpine tarns
hammocked among granite crags and tors
restoration gifted by toes-in-sand
scamperings on dayspring sea shores
as gulls cavort and sand pipers tempt fate
balance granted by spinning constellations
as Luna tends her silver star-gardens
and earth dreams its pensive dreams…”

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.

I’m pleased to announce my poem “You There” has been published at Chewers by Masticadores. A sincere thank you to Juan Re Crivello and Nolcha Fox and their team for sharing my poetry with their readers. It’s definitely an honor for me. Thank you so much, Juan and Nolcha, for this opportunity.

“You There”
(c) 2022 by Michael L. Utley

“I can only bleed so much
but it’s never enough
to satisfy you, is it
nevermind my shattered soul
and flesh flayed wide
no secrets left
no shadowed clefts
to hide what’s left of me
just the cold glare of reality
and the medicinal stench
of silent eternity…”

I’d be delighted if you’d read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. Also, be sure to follow and subscribe to Chewers by Masticadores. It’s a wonderful place for those who love writing.

I’m excited to announce my poem “Anchor” has been published at Chewers by Masticadores. A big thank you to Juan Re Crivello and Nolcha Fox and their team for this opportunity. It’s always an honor to share my work at Chewers by Masticadores. Thank you, Juan and Nolcha, for your kindness and support!

“Anchor”
(c) 2022 by Michael L. Utley

“she sat there
9,000 miles away
on the edge of her bed
or the ledge of her building
I never knew which
and talked about anchors
and the black depths
of depression
and what it would feel like
to fly…”

I’d be delighted if you’d read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. Also, be sure to follow and subscribe to Chewers by Masticadores. It’s a wonderful place for those who love writing.

Hello, folks. I’d like to announce my poem “What the Sun Denies, the Moon Divines” has been published at Gobblers By Masticadores. Sincere thanks to Manuela Timofte and her staff for sharing my poetry with their readers—it’s always an honor and it means a lot to me. I’m truly grateful, Manuela!

“What the Sun Denies, the Moon Divines”
(c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley

“This light that burns
Through bone-hued slats
As serpentine sun
Sheds its pretense
And glissades through
Fey reeds of twilight
Cuts razor-lines
Across eddying galaxies
Of dust motes
Infinities of minutiae
Indifferent spirals
A feckless requiem
For rise-and-fall futility…”

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, everyone. I’d like to let you know my poem “That Road Don’t Go Nowhere” has been published at Gobblers By Masticadores. Many thanks to Manuela Timofte and her staff for this opportunity to share my poetry with their readers—it’s always an honor and I’m truly grateful. Kindest thanks, Manuela!

“That Road Don’t Go Nowhere”
© 2013 by Michael L. Utley

“That road don’t go nowhere mister

Raspy sigh of too many cigarettes
Grease-blackened claw points in the general direction of
Eternity
Stench of gasoline and sweat
Indecipherable name emblazoned on
Filthy coveralls
Gas pump chugs and stutters
Connected to my car by an umbilical cord of
Ancient dinosaurs
His eyes lost in pools of wrinkles and regrets
As my eyes follow his finger
Nothing but rock and sand and the howls of
The lost
In this desolation…”

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.