Walking Tree
A Collaboration by Joni Caggiano and Mike Utley © 2026
sorrow whispers, a trail of ants
vapors torpid, their sting savage
memories choke, a riff on my sanity
night terrors open a door; I navigate
this silence is not silence
it is the groaning of eternity
the synaptic death-throes of
what once made me human
innate images, a stolen span of time
sacred sensations indelibly imprinted
naked bodies on airbrushed fields
heat rises, a bashful sun misleads
the stones of the fallow field
understand this moribund keening
in their granite hearts
atoms tremble and thrum
fireflies, monarchs die in poison skies
hope festers like the dying root
of the walking tree as it seeks life
our vivacity, prisoners of life’s war
To continue reading, please visit Masticadores Latinos USA. We would love to hear your thoughts on this piece. It was such an honor to collaborate with such an admired poet and friend. For more of Mike’s outstanding poetry and photography, please visit Silent Pariah, and for other talented artists, please visit Masticadores Latinos USA. Hoping everybody has a blessed week filled with joy and inspiration!
I am so grateful to be working on my daughter’s wedding. It never occurred to me how much organization and time were required to help plan such a momentous occasion. It is such a joy for our families to join together to watch my daughter and our soon-to-be son-in-law become joined as one in front of God, and to share this forever event at a gorgeous winery in Seattle.
Once again, my friend, it was a thrill to team up with you on this piece. Looking forward to many more collaborations. Wishing you and your family all the best as you prepare for your daughter’s wedding. 😊
Believe me it was my pleasure entirely, Mike. I too, look forward to future collaborations. Thank you for your kind wishes and I am grateful for her friends in Seattle that are helping as well. 🫶
Fantastic poetry, Joni and Mike! It’s wonderful that you’re working on your daughter’s wedding and that she is getting married, Joni!
Oh how kind, Timothy. I really appreciate your friendship, and it was a blessing for me to get to work with Mike. His poetry has always touched my heart as we had similarities in our childhood, and I am captivated by his work. Thank you for the kind words in regards to the wedding, we are so excited for her and our soon to be son-in-law. Marrying into a big Italian family, we are so happy and grateful, thank you!