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.
Hello, everyone. The seventh installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (7)” is now live at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. Kindest thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte for sharing this mini-collection. I hope these resonate with you.
“A Few Haiku (7)” (c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley
(#37)
Swathed in winter’s arms Chilly bosom hushes earth Snowy lullaby
…..
(#38)
As heron’s plume drifts Away on a silent stream Memories of you fade
…..
(#39)
Do worms of the earth Dream of sunlight; are their minds As blind as their eyes
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.
Hey, friends. The sixth installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (6)” has been published at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. Special thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte for sharing this mini-collection. I hope these connect with you.
“A Few Haiku (6)” (c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley
(#31)
Autumn ground mists rise Earth gives up its ghosts as moon Summons spirits home
…..
(#32)
Stones in shallow stream Smooth and round as heron’s eggs Current tends her nest
…..
(#33)
In a bamboo cage Finch sings of the open skies It will never see
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.
Hey, everyone. The fifth installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (5)” 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. I hope these appeal to you.
“A Few Haiku (5)” (c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley
(#25)
Fronds torn by the storm Willow bathes her wounds in tears Heaven cries above
…..
(#26)
In konara copse Broken axe is silent now Entombed by the ferns
…..
(#27)
In my sorrow I doubt even sparrow’s joy Can restore my heart
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.
Hi, folks. The fourth installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (4)” is now live at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. I’m most thankful to Editor Manuela Timofte and her staff for publishing this mini-collection. I hope you like this selection.
“A Few Haiku (4)” (c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley
(#19)
In the autumn copse Naked gods shiver as wind Snatches leafy cloaks
…..
(#20)
Field work is done Village sings its evening song My heart waits for me
…..
(#21)
When leaves fall earth mourns And heaven cries; when I fall Who will weep for me
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.
Hi, friends. The third installment of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (3)” has gone live at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. Kindest thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte and her staff for publishing this mini-collection. I hope these find favor with you.
“A Few Haiku (3)” (c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley
(#13)
Dying winter sun Bleeds on pallid frozen earth Crimson filigree
…..
(#14)
Empty robin’s nest Jagged pieces of spring sky Litter ground below
…..
(#15)
In the sage shadows Horned toads skitter hastily Tiny dragon kin
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.
Hey, everyone. Another of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (2)” has been published at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. I’m truly grateful to Editor Manuela Timofte and her staff for publishing this mini-collection. I hope you enjoy it.
“A Few Haiku (2)” (c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley
(#7)
Stormy autumn sky Chickens huddle in dim coop Murmur quietly
(#8)
Forest song is hushed Hallowed autumn rain demands Silent piety
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.
Hey, folks. I want to let you know one of my short haiku/senryu collections titled “A Few Haiku (1)” has been published at Gobblers by Masticadores. These small collections consist of six haiku and/or senryu. Kindest thanks to Editor Manuela Timofte and her staff for publishing this mini-collection. I hope you enjoy it.
“A Few Haiku (1)” (c) 2017 by Michael L. Utley
(#1)
Raindrop on elm leaf Slipping toward oblivion I am falling too
(#2)
Misty river bank I can hear the water cry Through its mournful veil
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 ongoing initiative showcases blogs with fewer than 500 subscribers which I think are deserving of more attention. Hopefully these blogs will spark your interest and you’ll check them out. It’s my way of spreading awareness of talented writers whose work I admire.
This week’s featured blog is Ashley’s A Different View. I first met Ashley in November 2021 when he and I were both invited to take part in a discussion titled “Exploring Basho’s Moon,” an examination of one of Basho’s famous haiku, hosted by Mark Scott’s Season Words blog. I found Ashley to be the kindest fellow imaginable, and his delicate skill regarding the writing of traditional haiku was astounding. Since then, I’ve come to consider Ashley a good friend of mine, someone whose love of nature and poetic ability create a sense of peace and serenity. Ashley speaks my language, you could say, and his blog is a calm harbor of natural beauty and exemplary writing.
I asked Ashely if he’d like to provide a little background about himself and his blog. I’ll let his own words do the talking:
I’m 74 years old and married to Carol for 52 years although we were courting about 5 years before that so we’ve been together for at least 57 years
whilst Carol has had so much illness in her life (cancer x 4 + heart problems) SHE is still my rock
I’m a great grandfather
I was born in the city of Armagh in Northern Ireland to northern English parents
Armagh was the ancient capital of Christian Ireland & whilst no longer a practicing Christian, the sound of cathedral bells is in my heart (see John Betjeman: Summoned By Bells)
left home at 21 to live & work in London, UK. Work location then was close to the River Thames & that river flows within me still
30 years spent living & working in England in the clothing industry: after redundancy, aged 45, worked in various jobs (transport, retail, health service) now retired
returned to NI some years ago
did voluntary work with the Woodland Trust (30+ years). LOVE trees, obsessed by them
through WordPress discovered haiku & writing in season
have always wanted to write & illustrate
lower back problems meant that I restarted my life, exercising daily, a mixture of physio exercises & Qi Gong
I have only ever travelled outside the UK about 3 or 4 times but follow blogs all around the world. With tools like Google Translate I am amazed how many different cultures & languages I am able to connect with
I love the simplicity of seasonal haiku
I would be remiss were I not to mention that one thing I find intriguing about Ashley’s blog is that I have some Irish ancestry, and the Emerald Isle is a land I’ve always wanted to explore. I’m able to do that vicariously through Ashley’s writing and photography. Ashley’s essays take us on strolls through the Irish countryside among wild flowers and the trees he loves so dearly, and his haiku–distilled to their very essence–paint glorious pictures of the natural world. For an example of what A Different View offers, here’s a post Ashley chose to share:
In a nutshell, if you love nature, if you appreciate fine Japanese short-form poetry, if you’ve ever felt the desire to travel to Ireland, Ashley’s A Different View has it all. I hope you’ll visit Ashley’s blog and walk along with him among the trees.
Let’s spread the love and support our fellow bloggers.
Silent Pariah 