Carlsbad the Poet

GRAND TERRACE>> Poetry is said to be one of the most elegant ways to express the rawest of emotion and describe the human experience. It’s a talent that some people describe as being as simple as putting the “best words, in the best order” as said by Samuel Coleridge. Grand Terrace resident, Mark E. Carlsbad, is the author of two poetry books and has been writing poetry since 1994. Carlsbad published his first book in 2011. It was a collection of 30 poems titled “‘Poetry’ By a Fool for A Lesser Fool.” The book is a chronological memoir of his life depicted through his poetry while coping with a challenging situation in his life. Carlsbad was going through a difficult divorce, and he used his poetry as a therapeutical outlet; to express his feelings of the situation and to release stress. At first, Carlsbad said, he had no intention of publishing his poems, but as more friends and family read his work, they encouraged him to publish it. Later, after writing poetry became much more than a hobby for him, he decided to publish his work. “Poetry affords me the chance to be a full-blown open with feelings of no limits and no restraints,” said Carlsbad in his book. Carlsbad had lived in Grand Terrace previously before moving to Nevada but returned in 2012 to become a caregiver for his mother. Unfortunately, his mother passed away, and he decided to remain in California and continue writing. Carlsbad worked in telecommunications for 31 years but is now retired. Carlsbad has also published his second book titled “'Poetry' For the Creative by A Creator.” While his first book was in a darker mood as it explored loneliness and other intense feelings of love and loss, his second book has a lighter feel to it that is sure to entertain the audience. “I really enjoy it. I enjoy it most when people are entertained by (my books),” said Carlsbad. Currently, a third book is in the works that will feature a poem about Grand Terrace's famous Blue Mountain and will focus on life’s positivity.