Tag: creative writing

“Snap-beans in a Wooden Bowl” published at Masticadores Philippines

On By Mike U.In Poetry54 Comments

I’m pleased to announce my poem “Snap-beans in a Wooden Bowl” has gone live at Masticadores Philippines. Many thanks to Michelle Ayon Navajas and Norj Joseph and their staff for this opportunity to share my poetry with their readers. I’m deeply honored and most truly grateful. Thanks so much, Michelle and Norj.

This poem was written for the #whattheydontsee project, an initiative for writers to share poetry and prose that delves into the pain we all hide, the sorrow, anger and fear we do our best to keep buried. I’m indebted to Michelle and Norj for allowing me to share this poem about my late mother.

“Snap-beans in a Wooden Bowl”
(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley

“snap-beans
in a wooden bowl
and tears
on her cheeks
my mother’s sorrow
exorcised by
the rite of
working hands
the ritual of
silent contemplation
as evening sun
gilded her world
in holy ephemera
her safe place
ensconced
in her own
sacred light
her garden
her universe…”

You can read the rest of my poem by clicking this link. Also, please consider following and subscribing to Masticadores Philippines, where compelling and creative story-telling and poetry await.

“Still I Toil On”

On By Mike U.In Poetry51 Comments

“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

my garden’s neglect
pains my soul
its hardened soil
thirsts for more
than rain
too many weeds
too few blooms
a loathsome facsimile
of the worst of me

these hands
cracked and dirty
beset by age
and the scars
of a futile life
once strong enough
to break the earth
shatter stone
yet tender still
to caress the lotus
dry the tears
of my beloved
these calloused hands
empty now
save for the
piercing splinters
and burning blisters
of stillborn harvests
and sundered dreams

once, long ago
across the stream
my young man’s eyes
beheld the youthful willow
nubile and lithesome
her slender feet
glissading upon
the cool water
sinuous fronds
breeze-blown
her sultry-shy gaze
beckoning me
offering respite
from noonday sun
and I watched from afar
as egret and kitsune
nestled in her shadows
and I yearned for her
but my garden
needed tilling
my hoe dull even then
my back bent
from years of struggle
my heart distracted
by worries of harvests
yet to be
and in my hesitation
she turned away
and all was lost

cicadas drone
in the bamboo grove
their maddening chorus
a condemnation
their brief lives
leave little time
for memories
but plenty
for judgment
their desiccated husks
reminding me
of life’s brevity
all I’ve lost
all I needlessly
carry with me

it has been too long
since the rains fell
too long since the wind
cooled my brow
too long since
my soul slept
too long have I
gripped this
infernal device
my entire existence
rooted in this
garden of regrets
I have become
the very weed
I wish to slay

still I toil on
for there is naught left
but to toil
until my blade breaks
or the harvester’s scythe
takes me away

“Ripples” published at Gobblers & Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry47 Comments

Hello, everyone. I’m happy to announce my poem “Ripples” has gone live at Gobblers & Masticadores. Sincere thanks to Juan Re Crivello and Manuela Timofte and their staff for this opportunity to share my poetry with their loyal readers. I’m honored and truly grateful. Thanks so much, Juan and Manuela!

“Ripples”
(c) 2017 by Michael L. Utley

“There are no ripples
On this frozen pond
The puk-puk-puk of
The pebble
Skittering on iced skin
Dampened by
Frost-thick air
Breath caught short
In lung-numbed gasps
Silent words
Suspended
In wintry sighs
Eyes pools of
Frigid tear-prisms
Bitter empty gelid rainbows
Where are you…”

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.

“Platitudes”

On By Mike U.In Poetry39 Comments

“Platitudes”
(c) 2024 by Michael L. Utley

the yoke of burdensome veracity
does not comport with those whose vapid souls
would congregate toward lies like moths to flame
and frenzy-feed on poison from the troughs
of those who wish to lead all men astray

thus in the end your heaven’s impotence
could not redeem this unabating hell
and all your pithless ersatz platitudes
lay shattered in inconsequential heaps
the dross of feckless minds and futile means

and though you crow
This truth I know!
as you insist
you ken the gist
of edicts straight
from heaven’s gate
your craven heart
betrays you

this truth I know—that there are those who scheme
to dominate the spineless weak of mind
whose brackish hearts and savage mien await
the opportunity to unleash hate
and spread destruction in their savior’s name

and wear upon their heads their savior’s creed
its name emblazoned red upon their breasts
and armed with flag and gun and profaned cross
prepare to soon fulfill the prophecies
of bloodlust and democracy’s demise

and you proclaim
your savior’s name
on bended knee
and worship he
whose rancid heart
tears souls apart
and vow to kill
to please him

the dove of peace and purity is dead
its carcass desecrated by the mob
its once-white plumage dripping crimson now
as boots stamp restlessly and voices hush
your vulgar gilded calf about to speak

and all the lies of men pour forth as smoke
and all eyes blinded, all hearts burned to ash
and all ears hear the trumpet of the spawn
and all minds bound as one, their task at hand
it’s time to make this country great again

and you shall tread
among the dead
with weapons raised
your savior praised
a new world birthed
now hell on earth
and from above
heaven weeps

the monster you’ve created has no name
its voice the sound of screams and champing teeth
its appetite for wrath insatiable
and as it turns its gaze on you it grins
and now perhaps at last you know the truth

thus in the end your heaven’s impotence
cannot redeem this unrelenting hell
and puerile platitudes cannot assuage
the damnation you’ve brought upon yourself
go forth in horror, your new world awaits

“In Time to Come” published at Gobblers & Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry53 Comments

I’m pleased to announce my poem “In Time to Come” has gone live 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. It’s an honor and I’m truly grateful. Thanks so much, Juan and Manuela!

“In Time to Come”
(c) 2017 by Michael L. Utley

“She had that look about her again
Eyes like chips of coruscating amber
Caught in the westering sun
Her over-there gaze snagged
On some distant memory
Like thorn-caught thread
Hands prim and pale
In her denim lap
Amid foxtails and dandelions
And oak shadows…”

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.

“Clarity”

On By Mike U.In Poetry57 Comments

“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

in the heavens moon eclipses sun
as Tsukuyomi-no-Mikoto
fervently pursues

Amaterasu
fulfilling his futile destiny
casting earth below in shadow gloom

machinations of the earth obscure
as this spinning orb succumbs to guile
in its rayless fugue

and all eyes fall, dazed
as the haze of chaos binds and blinds
my discernment crumbles into dust

truth has lost its glimmer and its sheen
pyrite baubles magnified as gold
in one hand a rose

in the other hand
a dagger; the heart of man depraved
confusion’s inferno conflagrates

forests turn to ash, and ash to snow
bitter flakes descend upon the tomb
of veracity

cloak in acrid pall
verity’s forlorn sarcophagus
candor’s mere slowly evaporates

I can’t tell the darkness from the light
hope, despair—awareness betrays me
every day the scale

of acumen fails
there is naught left but to close my eyes
and weep for lucidity’s demise

Joni Caggiano’s new book One Petal at a Time to be released in March 2024

On By Mike U.In Previews / Reviews36 Comments
Author Joni Caggiano

Hey, folks. I want to share with you the exciting news of the upcoming publication of my friend Joni Caggiano’s book, One Petal at a Time, a collection of poetry slated to be released in March 2024 by Prolific Pulse Press LLC.

Those of you who know Joni are already aware of her kindness, compassion and stalwart support for her fellow writers, in addition to her unsurpassed gift for words. For those who don’t know her, an introduction is in order. Joni is an internationally published poet, author, photographer, artist, wife and mother. She is an Adult Child of Alcoholics and has experienced—and overcome—a severely dysfunctional childhood to blossom into a beautiful soul brimming with light and love. One of Joni’s hallmarks is the warmth and sincerity of her support for fellow writers and artists. Whenever I post a new piece of poetry, I can’t wait to see what Joni has to say, and her words never disappoint. I share a particularly unique bond with Joni as I come from a severely dysfunctional family and my own childhood was rife with experiences no child should have to endure. In this regard, her friendship and support mean so much more to me because she understands on a fundamental level what it means to face darkness as a child, and her inner strength and faith allowed her to survive and flourish. Joni uses her platform as a writer to help bring awareness to the plight of childhood dysfunction and abuse, and gives hope to all who read her work. Her poetry is both surreal and profound, with imagery that at times startles and enlightens. Her prose spins tales of poignancy and sorrow, as well as strength and perseverance. Her photography conveys the wonders of nature.

One Petal at a Time will also feature the stunning artwork of the talented and estimable Francisco Bravo Cabrera, whose work is both highly creative and deeply emotive. You can view Francisco’s work on his blog, JaZzArt en Valencia.

My good friend and fellow writer Nigel Byng has begun a multi-part interview with Joni on his blog Helping You to Succeed. You can read the first installment of this interview by clicking this link.

If you enjoy powerful poetry that comes straight from a golden heart and soul, check out One Petal at a Time. Joni’s marvelous work can be found on her blog Rum and Robots.

UPDATE: My Poem “This World is Yours” named Publication of the Month at Spillwords Press

On By Mike U.In Poetry78 Comments

Hey, friends. I’m both excited and humbled to announce my poem “This World is Yours” has been named “Publication of the Month for Jan/Feb 2024” at Spillwords Press. Many thanks to Dagmara K. and her staff for publishing my poem and affording me the opportunity to share my work with the readers at Spillwords Press. This unexpected honor caught me off-guard and it never would have occurred without the kind support of so many of you. Thank you so much—this means a lot to me. This is the best community imaginable. Congratulations to all the other nominees whose work is deserving of all the accolades it receives.

I want to give a special shout-out to my friend and fellow writer Nigel Byng, whose brilliant poetry was also nominated. You’ll always be a winner in my book, my friend.

You can read my poem by clicking this link.

Thanks, folks. I’m truly grateful.

“I Cannot Ask the Mountain” published at Chewers & Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry37 Comments

I’m happy to announce my poem “I Cannot Ask the Mountain” has been published at Chewers & Masticadores. Sincere thanks to Juan Re Crivello and his team for this opportunity. It’s always an honor to share my work at Chewers & Masticadores. Thank you, Juan!

“I Cannot Ask the Mountain…”
(c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley

“I cannot ask the mountain
To carry my burden
For it shoulders the
The cumbrous glacier
The forsaken tor
The desolate scree slope
It weeps already
At its heavy load
Remorseful streams
Of alpine tears
Flow into tarns of regret
Secret cirques of sorrow
Hidden in its granite heart…”

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 & Masticadores. It’s a wonderful place for those who love writing.

“On Kestrel’s Wings” published at Gobblers & Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry40 Comments

Hi, folks. I’d like to let you know my poem “On Kestrel’s Wings” has gone live at Gobblers & Masticadores. Sincere thanks to Juan Re Crivello and Manuela Timofte and their staff for this opportunity to share my poetry with their loyal readers. It’s an honor to have my work published at Gobblers & Masticadores alongside that of some top-knotch writers. Thanks so much, Juan and Manuela!

“On Kestrel’s Wings”
(c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley

“Must everything have
Pedantic meaning
Must I be ground-bound
By the numbing gravity
Of grim solemnity
Must unrelenting
Earnestness be
The boot heel
Upon my neck
Must I suffocate
On the cloying
Atmosphere
Of grave sobriety…”

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.