Age – Page 52 – Iron Haiku

streaks of wispy clouds
paint dry brushed on the canvas
of the evening sky
–
shadows of trees-
crickets by
my open window

dwelling in the past-
bricked up in this house of pain
my arm, my jailer
–
a wasp’s sting-
repeated lies
no longer told

walking side by side
my constant companion long
before I met you
–
ebb tide-
our footprints
in the sand

iron seas and skies
sailing into the north wind
my face to the rain
–
solitude-
my paddle dips
into glassy water

eaten alive, wedged
in the belly of the beast
resigned to his fate
–
roaring water-
the spawning grounds
await upstream

acrid smoke rising
the ruins of our marriage
burned and smoldering
–
twilight-
our wedding vows
worn and tarnished

butterfly kisses
half asleep on my shoulder
soft breath in my ear
–
cool breeze-
your tears
slowly drying

awake and alone
the contours of your body
still fresh in my sheets
–
a startled thrush-
impressions left
in the tall grass

faces of the dead
constantly with me waiting
for my eyes to close
–
lost souls-
the silence
of the fen

much have I witnessed
during my earthly journey
and I am humbled
–
etched in stone-
recounting our
shared history