Category: Poetry

“Clarity” published at Spillwords Press

On By Mike U.In Poetry30 Comments

Hello, everyone. I’m pleased to announce my poem “Clarity” has been published at Spillwords Press. Sincere thanks to Dagmara K. and her team for publishing this piece. I truly appreciate this opportunity. I hope it finds favor with you.

“Clarity”
© 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. 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 Few Haiku (11)” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry41 Comments

Hi, friends. Just a note to announce the eleventh installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (11)” is now available at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. As always, many thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte for publishing this mini-collection. Here’s hoping these little ones appeal to you.

“A Few Haiku (11)”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#61)

Earth, sea and sky have
Tales to tell; be patient
For they speak slowly

…..

(#62)

I attain wisdom
Not from church or pagoda
But from woods and streams

…..

(#63)

When winter wind blows
All pretense is torn away
Bares my soul to all

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

A Few Haiku (11)

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 Can Hear the Water Cry” and “I am the Coin that Falls Between the Cracks” published at Chewers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry30 Comments

I’m pleased to announce two of my poems–“I Can Hear the Water Cry” and “I am the Coin the Falls Between the Cracks”–have been published at Chewers by Masticadores. A sincere thank you to Editor Nolcha Fox and her team for sharing my poetry with their readers. It’s definitely an honor for me. Thank you, Nolcha, for this opportunity.

“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 am the Coin that Falls Between the Cracks”
(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley

“parts of me have died
that no one will ever know
nor will ever mourn
and why should they
I am just a remnant of myself
writ small among the vagaries of life

I am the coin that falls between the cracks
the sub-aural hum of power lines
the mote-specked silence of barn lofts
the dull glint of galaxies
as seen through rheumic eyes
I am the shadow
in the corner
of my cold
listless
mind…”

I’d be delighted if you’d read the rest of my poems in their entirety here:

2 Poems by Michael L. Utley

Also, be sure to follow and subscribe to Chewers by Masticadores. It’s a wonderful place for those who love writing.

“A Few Haiku (10)” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry33 Comments

Hey, everyone. The tenth installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (10)” is now live at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. I’d like to thank Editor Manuela Timofte for publishing this mini-collection. I hope you enjoy them.

“A Few Haiku (10)”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#55)

Caught like wounded prey
In sharp fangs of granite crags
Dusk sun spills its blood

…..

(#56)

Those coins that fall through
Gaps in floorboards forgotten
Like old memories

…..

(#57)

My heart recalls you
Like my broken bleeding thumb
Recalls the hammer

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

A Few Haiku (10)

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.

“A Few Haiku & Senryu (62)”

On By Mike U.In Poetry21 Comments

© 2024 by Michael L. Utley

(#367)

river stone cairn
serenity in chaos
as life flows past

…..

(#368)

deathbed
her soul cleansed by
early morning rain

…..

(#369)

in my stillness
I become the mountain
winter squall

…..

(#370)

oneness with nothingness
this world can no longer
touch me

…..

(#371)

my silent world
sound dies
and I die with it

…..

(#372)

my essence diffused
I’m no longer here nor there
a crow’s cry

“A Few Haiku (9)” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry25 Comments

Hi, friends. The ninth installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (9)” has been published at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. Sincere thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte for sharing this mini-collection with her readers. I hope they resonate with you.

“A Few Haiku (9)”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#49)

The silent garden
My mother’s memories
Germinate

…..

(#50)

There is never joy
In the dark night of the soul
I embrace the dawn

…..

(#51)

I still hear the sound
Of breezes in bamboo groves
When I think of you

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

A Few Haiku (9)

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.

“A Few Haiku & Senryu (61)”

On By Mike U.In Poetry45 Comments

(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley

(#361)

November stubble
she tills the field
of memories

…..

(#362)

sorrow’s journey
drifting on the breeze
a sparrow’s plume

…..

(#363)

her sundered smile
picking up the pieces
of my heart

…..

(#364)

seeds of yesterdays
watered by the tears of years
memory garden

…..

(#365)

stream ice cracks
beneath the red footbridge
the hush of rushes

…..

(#366)

dip my bones in blood
etch my life across the stars
a soul’s journey

“A Tanka Trio (1)” published at Gobbles by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry43 Comments

Hi, folks. The first installment of my tanka series titled “A Tanka Trio (1)” is now live at Gobblers by Masticadores. Each of these installments contains three tanka (be sure to click this link to read all of them). I appreciate Editor Manuela Timofte for her graciousness in sharing this installment and I hope these small verses connect with you.

“A Tanka Trio (1)”
(c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#1)

My empty heart holds
More of you than I can bear
There is no more room
For mem’ries of mountain song
Sorrow-blossoms weep for you

…..

(#2)

In chill morning air
I wake up the sun and set
The breeze in motion
Wafting heaven’s incense through
Sleeping earth and drowsing sky

You can read the rest of this tanka installment 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.

“A Few Haiku (8)” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry38 Comments

Just a note to let you know the eighth installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (8)” 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. Here’s hoping you enjoy them.

“A Few Haiku (8)”
(c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#43)

Sweat upon my brow
Dries to crystal salt; my toil
Earns ivory crown

…..

(#44)

Early morning mist
Mother cloud comes home to nest
Earth is safe and warm

…..

(#45)

Insects whispering
Secrets filled with mystery
As I plant the rice

You can read the rest of this mini-collection 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.

“This World is Yours” published at Hotel by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry27 Comments

Hello, friends. I’d like to let you know my poem “This World is Yours” has been published at Hotel by Masticadores. Sincere thanks to Editor Michelle Navajas and her team for sharing this poem with their readers. I’m truly grateful for your kindness, Michelle.

This poem is special to me as it addresses—in extremely abstract form—the dysfunction of domestic abuse and the price a son can pay at the hands of his father. It was named Publication of the Month for January/February 2024 at Spillwords Press and will be in the running for Publication of the Year for 2024.

“This World is Yours”
(c) 2023 by Michael L. Utley

“you thought you could
save the world
wee lad
you couldn’t even
save yourself

those bleak nighthawk skies
where dead stars fall
like blood-bloated flies
and fey winds howl
in deafened ears
a behemoth’s fetid exhalation
violent and ignorant
and inexorable

breathe
breathe it all in
the sweat-soaked fear
the bitter tang of futility
fill your lungs
wee lad
this world is yours
as far as tear-blurred
eyes can see…”

You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. Also, please consider following and subscribing to Hotel by Masticadores, where you’ll discover a world of wonderfully imaginative and profound writing.