Above – Page 15 – Iron Haiku

a fallen cedar
rotting in the undergrowth
turning back to earth
–
soft underfoot-
a carpet of
rotting leaves

droning bumblebees
flit from flower to blossom
gathering nectar
–
a young black bear-
prospecting
for gold

trash cans at the curb
the stars at my back as I
walk back up the drive
–
upended bins-
a bandit masked
in the moonlight

gold and silver koi
resting by the water’s edge
scatter the moonlight
–
water lilies-
a dragonfly’s
reflection

a sudden cloudburst-
the rain soaking my shoes as
I run for cover
–
hazy sunshine-
sidewalks steaming
from the passing rain

wolves of stone and snow
insubstantial in the light
of the forest moon
–
rising embers-
mournful howling
in the distance

my outstretched fingers-
a solitary oak leaf
floating on the breeze
–
spring afternoon-
dozens of oak seeds
spin in the wind

northern white cedars-
the cliff face of ragged stone
falling to the sea
–
out of the fog-
a grand tower
of sun bleached stone

the low western sun-
surrounding the rising moon
a golden halo
–
thunder rolls-
dark clouds pass
before the moon

puppets to a one-
dancing to unheard music
hung from tangled threads
–
skeletal fingers-
pulling taut
the threads of fate