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.

Fog Over The Snohomish: A Haiku

Carl Setzer

Fog on the river

As I cross the Snohomish

How much of it smoke?

With all the smoke in Seattle’s air, I wonder the breakdown with the fog lingering over the Snohomish river this morning.

With this, there was mist on my car window. That, mixed with river fog are signs of impending autumn. As teachers move into their rooms, seasons are changing.

The train’s horn carries

Carl Setzer

The train’s horn carries

Upon the suburban calm

Miles from the shore

I often hear the train’s whistle miles away from the Edmonds shore. A few miles, up the hill, from Puget Sound. It actually delights me. Well, at times the intense quiet unnerves me. At my core, I’m an urbanite.