There Were Daisies
A Collaboration by Mike Utley and Joni Caggiano © 2026
I. Wife
“There were daisies,” she said. “Don’t forget about the daisies…”
With my eyes closed, there was a clearness about that perfect day, the day I asked her to be my wife…
“Do you remember how we lay in the grass and you’d count the freckles around my nose and the scattered ones on my cheeks?” she had asked. They were much like the flower garden, where I scattered seeds in no set grouping. “I admired our garden, its lack of order,” she laughed. I had planted blue vervain, blue flag iris, and swamp milkweed that held large clumps of blue flowers. This was the color of her eyes, which sparkled when she smiled. “I spun underneath the canopy of cirrus clouds in my bare feet.” I could see her in the sheer gossamer dress, wearing a necklace I had fashioned out of two dozen daisies. “You took me in your strong arms and held me momentarily, and then you pinned my favorite blue ribbon to my dress in a loop. The center held a narrow gold wedding band that kept moving to the rhythm of my beating heart!” Her voice turned into a gentle whisper as tears of contentment rolled down her face, and I grew to love every emotion, even those she tried to hide.
I grinned and nodded. Daisies a-plenty, there were, and dandelions–too many dandelions to count–amid fox tails and oak shadows, and the pond was so clear and water-skippers danced on its surface as sunlight heliographed secret communiques on breeze ripples, and salamanders in cool mud dreamed amphibian dreams.
Another memory lingered like a fiery sunset, layering the sky like frosting…
“Those memories have not faded, husband. Though I know these eyes are now ashen, no longer like the blue cardinal flower.” I had longed to see those shining cobalt-blue eyes again, but it made my heart ache to know that she recognized there was a slight difference in her appearance. “I still drown in your emerald eyes, husband. The earth, the slightly fishy smell, mixing with the fragrant scent of violets. I still elicit the intoxication of that day, each night, my love.”
“Do you remember the birds?” I asked.
She was silent, thoughtful, furrow-browed. “They were yellow,” she said, “and blue, and they knew…” and she turned away.
I closed my eyes and stared out the window of my mind. Gold finches, Stellar’s jays,
and she was right. Somehow they’d known.
…..
II. Daughter
“Come here,” I said, sitting on a hard metal storage crate beneath the glare of a naked tungsten bulb. “Let me tell you a story–a story about a little girl.”
“Is it about me, Daddy?”
“Of course it’s about you, silly.”
She sat beside me on the crate, too-thin hands folded demurely on her scrawny lap, her gaunt face tired, expectant, almost excited.
To continue reading, please visit Hotel Masticadores. 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 Hotel Masticadores. Hoping everybody has a blessed week filled with joy and inspiration!
Special thanks to Mike for the opportunity to collaborate with him again and to Michelle for publishing this collaboration.
An excellent start by you guys. This is so good to see from you both. Heading over to Hotel to read the rest.
Nigel, thank you so much for reading and supporting us. You are a sweetheart. Big hugs from the both of us.
You’re welcome, Joni. It is such a compelling and emotional read. I left a much longer comment on Hotel. Schedule a share for 11am. I think its a great read.
You are so sweet Nigel, thank you my friend. ❤️❤️
A stunning collab with Mike.
Thank you Joni 🙏🤗
Hello dearest Maggie. Thank you so much for reading. It was a joy for me although a sad subject. Big hugs and lots of love.
Hi Joni, you are so welcome dear friend.
It is always a pleasure to read your work and Mike’s too.
No matter what the subject matter is.
Hugs and love back to you xo
Sending more back, Maggie. I think of you often. ❤️❤️
Joni ❤️🥰❤️
It’s wonderful that the fantastic writing by you and Mike Utley is posted there, Joni! 😍
Thank you so much, Timothy. I love this piece, it was a treat to be a part of it, with Mike. He is such a talent. Thank you always for reading and I know that Mike will truly appreciate it too. Blessings always to you and the family, Timothy. 🙏🤗
It was my pleasure to read the talented writing by you and Mike, Joni. 😍 I hope for blessings to you and your family too! 💖🙏
🙏🙏🙏
Hiya, Joni. Thanks for teaming up with me on this one, my friend. It was an adventure, for sure! Kudos to Michelle, as always, for her kind and supportive nature. I consider myself beyond fortunate to call you, Scott and Michelle friends. ☺️
Hiya, right back, and thank you for sharing this opportunity with me Mike. I hope we can do it again. Your work is an ongoing inspiration to so many people. I feel blessed to call you, and Mich friends too. We are blessed to be in this community. Friends are a blessing and we all have found a few we will always cherish. 💕
A gorgeous tale. A beautiful collab!!!
Thank you so much. It means a lot. Mike’s work is such an inspiration to me.