Above – Page 10 – Iron Haiku

deep in the pine boughs
two gray squirrels chase each other
around the tree trunks
–
gray squirrel-
scolding me
from on high

on a sun warmed lake
fog’s skeletal fingers reach
for the morning moon
–
barefoot children-
laughter coats
the evening grass

the cruel midday sun-
neat rows of old cars in their
final rusting place
–
high noon-
steam billows from
my open hood

clouds in the water
far on the opposite shore
the blue pump house roof
–
changing leaves
painted at the
waterline

hanging on a strap-
the city moves beneath me
though I’m standing still
–
railway sidings-
rusting beasts
long since dead

in the western sky
the sun sets on iron clouds
promising thunder
–
leaves in the wind-
the low rumble
of distant thunder

a rotting boardwalk
crosses an estuary
flowing to the sea
–
low tide-
razor clams
burrow in the mud

moonlight in her hair-
she walks along the shoreline
and into the night
–
a turtle’s splash –
the moon wavers
on the water

waiting on the sun-
geese fly before purple clouds
embroidered in gold
–
reflections-
golden koi
slowly pass

alone on the street
with scarcely a backwards glance
from the passers by
–
three threadbare coats-
his breath still clouds
the autumn night