July 2020 – Iron Haiku

unearthed by the wind-
stone sentinels laid low by
the passage of time
–
dew kissed moss-
a small stone shrine
unvisited

ghost of old rumors-
morbid curiosity
about the house on the hill
–
a one eyed crow-
tortured shrieks of
wrought iron hinges

under a shade elm
I leave a small stone marking
the site of my grave
–
cut white lilies-
so casually
discarded

warm sands and tropi-
the cat yowls and paws my face
demanding breakfast
–
morning zoom call-
for the love of god
mute your mic

a cold night’s work done-
the creeping light of daybreak
seeps into my tomb
–
guttering torchlight-
weary of the death
that slakes my thirst

a thin scrim of frost-
muddy waters churn beneath
this fragile veneer
–
storm clouds-
reopening
old wounds

‘neath a festive sky-
cold ashes rain down upon
old lakota land
–
beneath the stars-
none of us free
unto the last