Category: Free Verse

Most everything that isn’t a haiku or tanka falls into this category lately. Subject to change, of course.

Waking in Kona, the surf singing to me 

Carl Setzer

​My mind playing Iz*

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p style=”font-family:"”>A song I know

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p style=”font-family:"”>But whose name

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p style=”font-family:"”>Escapes me

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p style=”font-family:"”>Gentle and peaceful

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p style=”font-family:"”>Bringing me rest

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p style=”font-family:"”>And contentment

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p style=”font-family:"”>*If you aren’t familiar with the musician Iz, he was Israel Kaʻanoʻi Kamakawiwoʻole. Learn more about him here. He’s long been high in my list of favorite musicians. 

They grow up so fast

Carl Setzer

​My phone buzzes

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p style=”font-family:"”>A beautiful woman

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p style=”font-family:"”>Who I remember

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p style=”font-family:"”>In diapers

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p style=”font-family:"”>I feel joy

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p style=”font-family:"”>At the blessing

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p style=”font-family:"”>Of my simple

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p style=”font-family:"”>Witness 

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p style=”font-family:"”>

May 24, 2918

Carl Setzer

​May 24, 2918

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p style=”font-family:"”>What will that day like?

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p style=”font-family:"”>Beyond my imagining

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p style=”font-family:"”>So far forward 

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p style=”font-family:"”>Where my name 

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p style=”font-family:"”>Will have faded 

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p style=”font-family:"”>Into the realm of dreams 

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p style=”font-family:"”>This notion brought about 

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p style=”font-family:"”>By my misplaced fingers 

Hummingbirds, Life, Death

Carl Setzer2 Comments

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I watch a hummingbird

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p style=”font-family:"”>And wonder about time 

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p style=”font-family:"”>Are we only allowed 

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p style=”font-family:"”>A specific number 

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p style=”font-family:"”>Of heartbeats?