Tag: creative writing

Joni Caggiano’s new poem “Will It Snow Again This August” is a must-read masterpiece

On By Mike U.In Reblogs30 Comments

Hey, folks. Every now and then, I read a piece of poetry that is so startling, so profound, it stops me in my tracks. My good friend and award-winning writer Joni Caggiano–author of the blog Rum and Robots–has written a new piece that has remained lodged in my mind and heart for a few days now, and I want to share a link to it so you can experience it yourselves.

Joni isn’t afraid to speak out about sensitive, controversial topics, and for this she has my total and complete respect and admiration. Anyone who has read her book One Petal at a Time understands this author is a master poet with an uncanny ability to reach inside the hearts and souls of readers and leave an indelible mark. Her latest offering titled “Will It Snow Again This August” is one such piece. It is stunning in its artistic brilliance, and deeply, fundamentally moving in its subject matter and impact. And yes, I’m gushing over Joni and her peerless poetic skills—no one writes the way she does. Her writing is timeless and urgent and vitally important and needs to be experienced.

So, please take some time and visit her blog to read her poem:

Will It Snow Again This August by Joni Karen Caggiano

Joni, thank you for using your magnificent voice to speak truth to power and to lift up those who have no voice. Would that we all were as courageous as you, my friend.

“She was Six” published at Spillwords Press

On By Mike U.In Poetry62 Comments

Hey, friends. I’m pleased to let you know my poem “She was Six” has been published at Spillwords Press. Sincere thanks to Dagmara K. and her team for sharing this piece with their readers. I’m grateful for this opportunity.

This piece is a commentary on the global epidemic of violence against children, be it right-wing gun fetishism, gang violence, political and religious warfare, inhumane immigration policies, trafficking or other forms of abuse and neglect. Apparently, at some point humanity has decided the deaths of children is an acceptable form of collateral damage as we attempt to kill each other. We have, indeed, lost our way.

“She was Six”
(c) 2022 by Michael L. Utley

“she was six
and on the wrong side
of a tyrant’s bomb sights
her small broken body
no match for
the shells
and the hell
that befell
her country
city
neighborhood
block
home
her blood the price
of freedom
she was six

she was six
and on the wrong corner
of the wrong intersection
at the wrong time
as gang-bangers
threw lead
and fled
as she bled
just a typical night
in a typical city
she was six…”

You can read the rest of my poem here:

“She was Six” at Spillwords Press

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.

“How Swift the Stream” published at Hotel by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry37 Comments

Hey, friends. I’d like to let you know my poem “How Swift the Stream” is now live at Hotel by Masticadores. Many thanks to editor Michelle Navajas for publishing this poem. It’s an honor and a delight, Michelle.

“How Swift the Stream”
© 2025 by Michael L. Utley

“as gloaming eventide stalks dying light
to ambuscade the remnants of the day
diurnal requiems give way to night
how quick the gloom
eviscerates its prey

regretful skiffs of shame contuse the dusk
as shadows skulking on earth’s wretched rind
asphyxiate its palpitating husk
how cruel the dark
and all it renders blind…”

You can read the rest of my poem here:

“How Swift the Stream”© 2025 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 (19)” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry17 Comments

Just a quick note, folks, to let you know the latest installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (19)” is now live at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. Much appreciation to editor Manuela Timofte for sharing this mini-collection. I hope these resonate with you.

“A Few Haiku (19)”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#109)

I cast my old net
But time swims by so swiftly
I can’t catch my breath

…..

(#110)

Silver waves arrayed
In blue moon-hued solitude
In both sea and sky

…..

(#111)

These old woods have felt
My grand-father’s father’s feet
Walking through the ferns

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

A Few Haiku (19)

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 Tanka Trio (7)” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry36 Comments

Hello, friends. The seventh installment of my tanka series titled “A Tanka Trio (7)” 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). I appreciate editor Manuela Timofte for sharing this installment with her readers. Many thanks, Manuela.

“A Tanka Trio (7)”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#19)

When I sought knowledge
I opened my eyes and ears
When I sought wisdom
I opened my mind and heart
Rain and sunshine for my soul

…..

(#20)

In my winter dreams
I walk barefoot in the spring
Sink my toes in loam
In the green konara copse
Gathering the brown acorns

You can read the rest of this tanka installment here:

A Tanka Trio (7)

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 Poet’s Lamentation” published at Hotel by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry43 Comments

Hello, folks. I’d like to announce my poem “A Poet’s Lamentation” is now live at Hotel by Masticadores. Kindest thanks to editor Michelle Navajas for sharing this poem with her estimable readers. I’m truly grateful, Michelle.

“A Poet’s Lamentation”
© 2025 by Michael L. Utley

“pardon my sorrow
and forgive my weeping soul
my humble supplication
loosed into the void on raven’s wings
to fall on deafened ears of fickle gods…”

You can read the rest of my poem here:

“A Poet’s Lamentation”© 2025 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 (18)” published at Gobblers by Masticadores

On By Mike U.In Poetry38 Comments

Hi, friends. The latest installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (18)” is now available at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. As always, much gratitude to editor Manuela Timofte for sharing this mini-collection. Here’s hoping you find these little ones enjoyable.

“A Few Haiku (18)”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

(#103)

Bones of the earth split
Emaciated world’s skin
Granite ribs protrude

…..

(#104)

Holes in waraji
Worn through soles through countless years
My soul worse for wear

…..

(#105)

Deafened ears can hear
Whispered symphonies of earth
Deafened hearts ignore

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

A Few Haiku (18)

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 Featured at Collaborature

On By Mike U.In Poetry30 Comments

Hey, everyone. My friend and esteemed writer Melissa Lemay was kind enough to conduct an interview with me recently and it’s now live at her website Collaborature. It’s difficult to find someone as talented, supportive and compassionate as Melissa—she’s certainly a beacon of light in our writing community. Thank you so much for this opportunity, Melissa. It’s always fun to talk about writing and I hope your readers enjoy the interview. You can find it here:

“Baring Our Souls on the Page: An Interview with Michael L. Utley”

Be sure to peruse Collaborature while you’re there. It’s a place where creative people meet to work together, and there’s a lot of quality writing to experience.

“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