Tag: Poetry

Nigel Byng’s debut poetry collection The Drifter The Prodigal The Last Son launches this weekend

On By Mike U.In Previews / Reviews32 Comments
Image credit: Nigel Byng

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.

You can visit Nigel’s blog here:

Helping You To Succeed

“Threads” published at Manuela Timofte’s blog In A Love World

On By Mike U.In Poetry27 Comments

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):

Threads

Also, please consider following and subscribing to In A Love World, a place where wonderful poetry abounds.

“From Tsukiko, While Watching the Moon” published at LatinosUSA

On By Mike U.In Poetry28 Comments

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.

“From Tsukiko, While Watching the Moon”
© 2025 by Michael L. Utley

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…

You can read the rest of my poem here:

“From Tsukiko, While Watching the Moon”© 2025 by Michael L. Utley

I hope you’ll consider following and subscribing to LatinosUSA–a place of unique visions and creative voices from around the world.

“Forgotten” published at Manuela Timofte’s blog In a Love World

On By Mike U.In Poetry9 Comments

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.

“Forgotten”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

Those who fade away
Dust-covered and forgotten
Hushed in melancholy thought

Those of us denied
Peering through the river reeds
Watching joy drift out of reach

Who will remember
Those abandoned on the path
Those who fall by the wayside

We the silent ones
Mournful ones invisible
Just a burden nothing more…

You can read the rest of my poem here:

Forgotten

Also, please consider following and subscribing to In A Love World, a place where wonderful poetry abounds.

“The Daisy Ring” published at LatinosUSA

On By Mike U.In Poetry18 Comments

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.

“The Daisy Ring”
© 2021 by Michael L. Utley

“I found thee in a faerie copse…”

“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…

You can read the rest of my poem here:

“The Daisy Ring”by Michael L. Utley

I hope you’ll consider following and subscribing to LatinosUSA–a place of unique visions and creative voices from around the world.

My Poem “Wisdom” Featured in Nigel Byng’s Exploring Poetry Series

On By Mike U.In Poetry37 Comments

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:

Exploring Poetry – A weekly reading series – Ep 9: Wisdom by Michael L. Utley

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.

Helping You To Succeed

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.

“Heroic” published at Manuela Timofte’s blog In a Love World

On By Mike U.In Poetry24 Comments

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.

“Heroic”
© 2013 by Michael L. Utley

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…

You can read the rest of my poem here:

Heroic

Also, please consider following and subscribing to In A Love World, a place where wonderful poetry abounds.

“This World is Yours” published at LatinosUSA

On By Mike U.In Poetry27 Comments

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.

“This World is Yours”
© 2023 by Michael L. Utley

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…

You can read the rest of my poem here:

“This World is Yours” by Michael L. Utley

I hope you’ll consider following and subscribing to LatinosUSA–a place of unique visions and creative voices from around the world.

“January’s Scion” Published at Manuela Timofte’s In A Love World Blog

On By Mike U.In Poetry16 Comments

Hey, friends. Just want to let you know my poem “January’s Scion” has been published at Manuela Timofte’s blog In A Love World. I’m grateful to Manuela for her kindness in sharing this piece with all of you.

“January’s Scion”
© 2022 by Michael L. Utley

January’s scion, born of winter
messenger of midnight’s dark domain
harbinger of fearful futures
herald of the past’s persistence
bearer of remembrances of
what shall surely be

I’ve succumbed to January’s Janus
peering ever forward and behind
frozen firmly on the threshold
of what was and what may soon be
doomed to bear the weight of all things
for eternity…

You can read the rest of my poem here:

January’s Scion

Also, please consider following and subscribing to In A Love World, a place where wonderful poetry abounds.

I’ve Been Nominated for Author of the Year for the Spillwords Press 2026 Awards

On By Mike U.In Poetry90 Comments
Image © Spillwords Press

Hey, everyone. I’m delighted to announce I’ve been nominated for Author of the Year at Spillwords Press for my poem “The Bonfire.”  This Spillwords Press 2026 Awards nomination is more than just an honor for me, it’s a validation of my voice as a deaf, introverted writer who wants desperately to connect with people. I’m grateful to Dagmara K. and her staff for publishing my poem and for this wonderful opportunity.

You can read my poem here:

https://spillwords.com/the-bonfire/

If you’d care to vote for me, all you need to do is register at Spillwords Press (it’s free and takes only a couple of minutes). Voting runs from January 26 through January 30. You may cast your vote by following this link: 

https://spillwords.com/vote/

People who know me understand that self-promotion is not my strong point so this sort of thing is always awkward for me. I don’t have any social media presence whatsoever so it’s difficult to get the word out. I believe these awards should be merit-based on the quality of the writing, not on social media popularity. With that said, it’s my sincere hope you’ll take a few minutes to read my poem and cast your vote, and if you enjoy my poem, please spread the word. I’d be beyond grateful to have your support. I’ve always believed my poetry should do the talking, not me, so if you find my poem worthy of your vote for Author of the Year, I’d appreciate it so much.

As an exciting side note, a couple of my good blogging friends are up for awards as well. Maggie Watson has been nominated for both Author of the Year and Publication of the Year, and Lauren Scott is in the running for Publication of the Year. I’m so proud of both of these friends for the recognition of their excellence and I wish both of them the best of luck in the voting.

Congratulations and all the best to all the other nominees.