Category: Poetry

“Bus Stop” published at Hotel by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry33 Comments

Hi, friends. I want to let you know my poem “Bus Stop” has been published at Hotel by Masticadores. Many thanks to Editor Michelle Navajas for sharing this poem with her readers. Thanks a bunch, Michelle.

“Bus Stop”
© 2025 by Michael L. Utley

“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…”

You can read the rest of my poem here:

“Bus Stop” by Michael L. Utley

Also, please consider following and subscribing to Hotel by Masticadores, where you’ll discover a world of wonderfully imaginative and profound writing.

“A Few Haiku & Senryu (63)”

On By Mike U.In Poetry52 Comments

© 2025 by Michael L. Utley

(#373)

burning stars
pinpoints of candle light caught
in her tears

…..

(#374)

in my sorrow
my words struggle to take flight
the empty page

…..

(#375)

in my quiet world
poetry exists not in my ears
but in my heart

…..

(#376)

children played here once
now only ghosts linger
this broken world

…..

(#377)

lock the temple doors
we mustn’t let reality
taint our holy minds

….

(#378)

our humanity
bleeds out in Gaza and Ukraine
just another day

“A Tanka Trio (6)” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry28 Comments

Hey, everyone. The sixth installment of my tanka series titled “A Tanka Trio (6)” 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). As always, much gratitude goes to Editor Manuela Timofte for sharing this installment with her readers. Thanks, Manuela!

“A Tanka Trio (6)”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#16)

I would gladly give
All I have or ever will
For the simple truths
Of the frog in Basho’s pond
And Williams’ red wheelbarrow

…..

(#17)

On a cattail
A dragonfly preens his wings
Iridescently
There is beauty everywhere
If only my heart could see

You can read the rest of this tanka installment here:

A Tanka Trio (6)

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.

My Interview: Q&A Author of the Month for April 2025 at Spillwords Press

On By Mike U.In Poetry46 Comments
Image © Spillwords Press

Hi, friends. Recently, editor Dagmara K. at Spillwords Press was kind enough to interview me after I was named Author of the Month for April 2025 for my poem “The Bonfire.” I’m deeply grateful to Dagmara and her team for this opportunity to share a little of myself. If you’d like to discover a bit about my writing background and creative inspiration, you can find the interview here:

Q&A Author of the Month 2025 Interview with Michael L. Utley at Spillwords Press

Thank you, Dagmara, for your kindness in sharing my poetry with your readers. It’s always a thrill to see my writing published alongside that of so many talented authors at Spillwords Press. And thank you, my fellow WordPress friends, for your constant support and encouragement. I appreciate all of you more than you can ever imagine.

“A Few Haiku (17)” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry39 Comments

Hello, everyone. Another installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (17)” is now live at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. Many thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte for publishing this mini-collection. I hope you enjoy them.

“A Few Haiku (17)”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#97)

I have burned my hands
In the furnace of the past
Stoking memories

…..

(#98)

Stars write arias
For the bashful moon to sing
But who will listen

…..

(#99)

I have made my peace
Sitting under willow trees
In the green shadows

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

A Few Haiku (17)

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.

Check out Paper Bless–a new YouTube Channel for scrapbooking

On By Mike U.In Poetry36 Comments

Hey, everyone. A good friend of mine has started a new YouTube channel called Paper Bless for scrapbooking, and she was kind enough to incorporate one of my haiku into her most recent project—a short video collage. It’s really cool and I wanted to share this with all of you to spread the word about her new channel. So, please take a moment if you can to click the link to visit Paper Bless for scrapbooking and see her beautiful art. I’m honored that she thought highly enough of my haiku to use it in her project. Truly grateful, in fact! And be sure to like and subscribe to her channel if you enjoy her creative spirit (I did!). 😊

Paper Bless Channel on YouTube

“From Tsukiko, While Watching the Moon” published at Hotel by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry34 Comments

Hi, everyone. Just a note to let you know my poem “From Tsukiko, While Watching the Moon” has been published at Hotel by Masticadores. Sincere thanks to Editor Michelle Navajas for sharing this poem. Your kindness means a lot to me, Michelle.

“From Tsukiko, While Watching the Moon”
© 2025 by Michael L. Utley

I have waited long enough
among midnight forests
and somnolent bamboo groves
the furtive whispers
of pensive yurei
a forlorn supplication
to dissolve further
into the rayless world
of lost souls
to seek the sleep
of bōkyaku

cloistered among
susurrating reeds
I bathe my feet
in Sanzu’s nocturnal tears
adorned in fragrant
willow shadows
as koi drowse
in the depths of dreams
and kitsune slink
clandestinely
their night-thoughts
unfathomable…

You can read the rest of my poem here:

“From Tsukiko, While Watching the Moon” by Michael L. Utley

Also, please consider following and subscribing to Hotel by Masticadores, where you’ll discover a world of wonderfully imaginative and profound writing.

“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.