Carl Setzer

Progress

Daring to speak words,
Empowerment of progress.
Seeking real change.

Upon arid earth
Heaven’s promise flutters down
Escaping the sky

Germs descended here
Embattled body withers
May healing soon come

Upon these moments
Fields of grass with stone scribed names
Silence tells the tale

Upon windy voice,
Echoes of history call;
Resist cyclic doom.

Still, fears rise up
Providing discomfort
And misery; wakefulness
When I seek sleep.

See culture’s mirror
Brutality’s rough edges
Reality’s pain

Simple acts of welcome
Gentleness, arms over shoulders
Creating a glorious web
Safety, enabling growth

Potential
Sits upon the edge
    Waiting
      Waiting
    For the gift
      Of action

Nighttime in Shanghai
Light escaping darkness
Glittering brilliance