Category: Poetry

Poetry became part of my life decades ago. My first memory involving poetry: a creative writing class from seventh grade. Poetry and writing remain crucial parts of my life to this day.

I find my inspiration in the commonplace, in everyday experiences, in current events. My daily meditations grant me a great deal of clarity, which comes in verse.

Currently, I’m focusing short-form poetry. Predominantly I’m writing haiku/senryu with some tanka. For the past few years, I’ve worked to post a haiku daily. Though not perfect, I’ve been able to stick to that schedule pretty well. Some longer forms come to me, too, though mostly in free-verse.

Creativity

Carl Setzer

Wil Wheaton stated a fantastic idea in the last Radio Free Burrito: do something creative everyday for 31 days. Feeling withered creatively, this seems an excellent course of action. Earlier (this morning), I broke out my Moleskine, grabbed one of my old poetry texts and determined to write from the first form that appeared before me. First on the page was the tanka, cousin to the haiku.

&nbsp&nbspCollective mind
&nbsp&nbspGrowing within our hands, bright
&nbsp&nbspBlast of knowledge, linked
&nbsp&nbspMassive data together
&nbsp&nbspKnowledge not equal wisdom.

Shifting to haiku:

&nbsp&nbspData, data, ow!
&nbsp&nbspBurns my brain, searing knowledge
&nbsp&nbspNot understanding

Lastly, and most challenging, was limerick. Not being in the most humor-centric of moods, I thought that, perhaps, limerick doesn’t need to be funny.

&nbsp&nbspSilliness, sunlight’s love, joyfully
&nbsp&nbspExploring starlit air, blue above sky
&nbsp&nbspInto the park the go,
&nbsp&nbspChild’s play, just fun, sun’s glow.
&nbsp&nbspBuilding, today, a beautiful life of joy

Literary Birthdays Today

Carl Setzer

Per today’s “The Writer’s Alamanac”, this is the birthday of both Samuel Beckett and Seamus Heaney.

I’ve been fond of both for years. Early on, upon seeing “Godot” for the first time, I spent much too much time trying to figure out “what it’s all about”. Nothing is more absurd than trying to locate reason within absurdity. However, Heaney really captured my attention when I sought to understand the contemporary Irish soul. My first deep exposure to his works, “Station Island”, is amazing. Though slightly lower in esteem than Gary Snyder (which I hope causes no offense), Heaney holds high regard in my heart.

Night

Carl Setzer

A mind moves beneath the calm. time’s unable to truly calm the winds. Stillness fleeting, not withering, yet stunted. Never towering, yet amazingly alive amist hostile winds. Dreaming of quiet pastures which I fear.