January 2022 – Iron Haiku

draped in tulle and lace
far below the frozen sea-
immemorial
–
nestled in
the ocean deep-
lost to time

a willow’s caress-
snow laden branches reach down
to stroke the water
–
frozen stones-
roiling water
skinned in ice

dark ominous skies-
the grey wolf moon veiled behind
a thin scrim of clouds
–
winter jetty-
snow falls on
the rising tide

opalescent clouds-
shadows on the moonlit snow
cast by trees long dead
–
dying embers-
in the dark I become
the falling snow

a neglected path-
moss hides a forgotten shrine
the small gods long gone
–
meditation-
clay teapots
dry in the sun

weary of donning
this mask, this gown, these gloves, I
once more go to work
–
hospital corridors-
the white noise
of dying

the soft eastern sky-
treetops gilded in copper
frame the rising sun
–
daybreak-
the furnace and I
struggle to wake up

cocooned in afghans-
bright remnants of creation
streak across the sky
–
deep desert night-
the great arc of stars
lights the horizon

metal folding chairs-
coffee cans half full of ash
on the fire escape
–
urban jungle-
pole beans climb
my barred windows

standing by the sink-
I feel the warmth from your feet
on the bathroom floor
–
lost in your dreams-
I silence my alarm
before it wakes you