Hey, everybody. Just a note to let you know my poem “The Trunk” is now live at Manuela Timofte’s blog In A Love World. My sincere appreciation goes to Manuela for her generosity in sharing this poem.
“The Trunk” (c) 2021 by Michael L. Utley
There is a place for things That don’t belong in Other places That sere and weathered Trunk that hunkers lupine-like Amid dust-addled attic shadows Wood split and gouged With time and neglect Iron bands and fittings A crumble of rust Lockless clasp broken From endless breeches And pryings I should have Replaced that lock Eons ago The ill-fitting lid Is too loose More decoration Than function And tends to rattle Of its own accord Far too often For what’s inside wants to Breathe Stretch Pop knuckles Champ teeth And feed And only I can Contain it…
Hello, folks. I’d like to let you know my poem “Bus Stop” is now available to read at LatinosUSA. Much gratitude goes to esteemed editor Michelle Navajas for sharing this poem with all of you. Sincerely appreciated, Michelle.
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…
This weekend marks the launch of The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son, the debut poetry collection from Nigel Byng, an immensely talented writer and creator of the Helping You To Succeed blog. I’ve known Nigel for a while now, and a couple of things stand out to me: his relentless creative drive and his genuine authenticity as a good human being. Nigel is a poet and fiction writer, a collaborator with many others here on WordPress, and an advocate for all who desire to create worlds with words. You can find him lifting up fellow writers on his blog, reaching out to encourage and inspire, and championing his fellow creatives when they publish their works. He is tireless in his quest to capture and convey the human condition in his unique style, and yet he always has time for his writing friends. I know he’s dreamed of having his work published in book format, and now his hard work has come to fruition.
From the book’s blurb:
“Within these pages, you will encounter a boy on a quest. The peripatetic, searching for a home; the stoic chased relentlessly by God, and the rebel confronted by destiny. Somewhere between childhood and a midlife crisis, a reluctant poet found his voice, set aside childish pursuits, and sat with divinity on a cold windswept beach in North Wales. You may join him on this quest, and much like life, it promises to be an adventure. Or, you may sit beside him in quiet contemplation, and chart the familiarity of souls all headed to the same destination. The choice is yours.”
The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son is being released through Michelle Navajas Publishing House. Michelle is a prolific international best-selling poet and editor for the online literary journals Hotel by Masticadores, Masticadores Philippines and LatinosUSA. She is well known for going above and beyond to promote, encourage and advocate for her writers, and her compassionate nature is truly inspiring to all those fortunate enough to work with her.
The estimable and gracious Joni Caggiano handled the editing duties, working long hours with Nigel to mold his manuscript into a brilliant, cohesive collection. Joni herself is an accomplished best-selling poet with many accolades under her belt, and her kindness and sensitivity set her apart from the crowd and lend her poetry a timeless, ethereal quality.
I offer my most sincere congratulations to my buddy Nigel as he lives his dream. I can’t imagine what’s going through his head and heart right now as the release date approaches, but I want him to know I’m proud of him. He’s worked so hard for this. I wish him the best of fortune with this book, and may this be the beginning of a new literary journey for him.
The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son launches May 9 in Asia and May 10 globally, and will be available at Amazon in paperback and Kindle versions.
Hi, folks. My poem “Threads” is now available for your perusal at Manuela Timofte’s blog In A Love World. Many thanks to Manuela for her kindness in sharing this poem with her readers.
You can read my poem here (no teaser this time as it’s a very brief poem):
Hi, everyone. I’m pleased to announce my poem “From Tsukiko, While Watching the Moon” has been published at LatinosUSA. A sincere thanks to editor Michelle Navajas, who always goes above and beyond, for choosing to share this poem with her readers. It’s truly an honor, and I’m grateful for you kindness, Michelle.
I have waited long enough among midnight forests and somnolent bamboo groves the furtive whispers of pensive yurei a forlorn supplication to dissolve further into the rayless world of lost souls to seek the sleep of bōkyaku
cloistered among susurrating reeds I bathe my feet in Sanzu’s nocturnal tears adorned in fragrant willow shadows as koi drowse in the depths of dreams and kitsune slink clandestinely their night-thoughts unfathomable…
Hello, everyone. My poem “Forgotten” is now live at Manuela Timofte’s blog In A Love World. Thank you so much, Manuela, for sharing this poem. Truly appreciated.
Greetings, friends. Just a note to let you know my poem “The Daisy Ring” has been published at LatinosUSA. Editor Michelle Navajas does such a wonderful job of sharing various writers’ offerings with her readers and it’s always an honor to be published by her. I’m sincerely grateful, Michelle.
“Hmm?” she murmured Her gaze caught somewhere In the rainy neon night-world Beyond the coffee shop window Her fingers weightless Feather-like In my hand Ethereal Furnace-hot
“I found thee in a faerie copse Alighting on each flower fair And as I ‘proached thee in the hopes Of snaring thee in lovers’ ropes Thou disappeared into thin air…”
She looked at me then A faint smile teasing Her lips “Your poetry is terrible,” she said…
Hey, friends. The estimable and supremely talented Nigel Byng has graciously featured my poem “Wisdom” in his Exploring Poetry initiative on his blog Helping You To Succeed. This series explores the poetry of various authors as Nigel reads each piece and takes a deep-dive of analysis and interpretation to explore beyond the words. I am absolutely honored and humbled to have one of my poems included in this series. Nigel is an accomplished storyteller and poet, and his kindness and generosity are well-known in this WordPress writing community. He makes it his mission to lift up fellow writers, to shine the light on others, and to offer compassionate support and encouragement. He most definitely represents the very best of this community, and it’s my profound pleasure to call him my friend.
You can check out Nigel’s reading and analysis of my poem here:
Also, be sure to take your own deep-dive into Nigel’s short fiction and poetry on his blog. He is blessed with uncanny ability and keen insight into the human condition. Simply put, he’s brilliant.
Thank you, my brother Nigel, for this wonderful gift. You presence in this community is a godsend and I’m beyond grateful for your kindness and support.
Hi, folks. My poem “Heroic” has been published at Manuela Timofte’s blog In A Love World. Many thanks to Manuela for sharing this poem. Truly grateful for your kind gesture, Manuela.
The kid was too young This distant uncanny boy Face absconded Into the murky depths of his Drenched and threadbare Crimson hoodie Eyes mere pinpricks Of sentience in the shadows Where his face should be On this pouring midnight Sidewalk where even the rain seemed Exhausted in the scornful cones Of streetlamp illumination And unseen clouds sighed above Too tired for the bluster and pretense Of thunder And he sat there in this mess of a night On a bench where no bus would ever stop For anyone at anytime for any reason Staring into the distance at both Something and nothing at once Moveless save for an occasional shiver Waiting for someone or something Or perhaps nothing at all…
Hello, everyone. My poem “This World is Yours” has been published at LatinosUSA. Sincere thanks to editor Michelle Navajas for sharing this piece with her readers. I’m truly grateful, Michelle.
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…
Silent Pariah 