Just ten minutes more
As the clock keeps beckoning
The demands of life
Author: Carl Setzer
Haiku
Memories of a fading Seattle
Many memories
Walking past the empty halls
In winter’s darkness
Ages ago I lived in Seattle’s heart. At that point, beginning a transformation, becoming the economic behemoth of our now. Then we were still the refuge of the poor, downtrodden. Suburban business professionals drifting through, vanishing as the clock struck five. The flurry of buses and cars carrying them away, far away from us. I found myself wandering nighttime streets, streetlights and gentle rain accompanying my steps. An urban beauty.
To seek greatness as a poet
I love poetry
I seek to achieve greatness
First: to define that
The more I study poetry, the more I see the idea of “greatness” is illusive. A slippery dream, laughing as l try to grab hold. I see that it’s a personal journey, connecting to my deepest within.
Zen’s Essence
This is my challenge
Stare inwards free of judgement
Embrace compassion
The dream fades
Lightness
Upon the
Summer breeze
Now an echo
Of a forgotten
Dream
Daily Haiku: Awoke By My Fears
Awoke by my fears
Not an unusual thing
Though I’ve grown weary
I’ve long hated my mind’s tendency to torment me late at night. Bringing up ancient mistakes, dragging forth unlikely scenarios, so many ways my mind finds to attack my tranquility.
Germs are in control
Germs are in control
Obediently I sleep
Rest eluding me
Ah, fighting germs again. A slow lingering cough my main symptom, a long with my lack of energy.
My Journals, My Heart
It pains me
Envisioning my journals
Beloved words capturing my soul
Mouldering in my absence
As I fade to dust
Beth Caldwell’s impact on metastatic breast cancer
Not a work of poetry, but poetic in it’s raw power. It also features evocative language.
“The only thing that brings me any sense of meaning these days is to think of these fallen trees as nurse logs. Their memories, their lives, their children, their passions, their faces, their senses of humor, their wisdom, their spirits, their beautiful beautiful beautiful spirits are nurturing us, feeding us, giving us strength to go on, to demand change, to bring research to our friends, to fight against death death death so much death. Their falling leaves a hole in the forest canopy, but their souls are bringing new life to our movement and nutrients to keep us growing.
“And someday this forest will cover the world.”
As someone who lost my mother to breast-cancer far too young (pretty much the same age as Beth), this piece hits me hard. Tears, memories, so very much brought up. And, you may find it strange to share this Christmastime, but I always remember that first Christmas after my mom died. Really, though, I see this as a powerful way to honor her.
Blessing to each of you this Christmas. Love well, love strong, love.
A snow calmed Christmas morn
I’m awake early
On this dark Christmas morning
The night calmed by snow
I hope each of you has a blessed and refreshing Christmas.
Carl Setzer: Word Shaper 