Hi, everyone. I want to let you know my poem “Koto no Yume” is now live at Gobblers by Masticadores. I really appreciate editor Manuela Timofte’s kindness and support in publishing my poetry. It means a lot to me, Manuela.

“Koto no Yume”
(c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley

“In dreamland forests of my soul I hear
What deafened ears in waking cannot know
A yearning in konara groves
That lilts in silent soft-edged shadows calls

The stream conversing with the hart has hushed
Its liquid-silver voice now mute
As herons ankle-deep in currents pause
And reverently bow in pious prayer

The insects cease their gossip in the ferns
And in anticipation preen their wings
As purple katakuri nod
At crimson higanbana through the leaves

And sly kitsune slinks from trunk to trunk
A flash of pale white-flickered tail
To find a seat ‘neath green-leafed momiji
Or ‘neath the needled kuromatsu boughs…”

You can read the rest of my poem here:

Koto no Yume

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.