Beneath – Page 57 – Iron Haiku

dark, ominous skies
grey terns perched on a buoy
turned to face the wind
–
roiling water
gulls soar effortlessly
above the rocky shoals

bone tired, weary
driven forward all the while
dragging this baggage
–
shimmering heat
an old prospector
pulls at his burro

lingering on a
sea of empty promises
wet with resentment
–
dripping-
an eagle’s
empty talons

ice over fresh snow
the delicate crust holds me
momentarily
–
warm green grass
a raindrop rolls
down my cheek

a flash of silver
bright water patters and breaks
the woodland silence
–
finally unfettered
carried aloft
on golden wings

as the tide comes in
the quiet surf erases
our mingled footprints
–
salt breezes
clammers digging
in the wet sand

flooded rice paddies
on the roadside sheaves of straw
drying in the sun
–
high spring sun
nimble fingers
sowing wheat

living day to day
ignoring where I’ve been and
what the future holds
–
frost on the grass
awake in the dark
breathless and immobile

with help, exploring
the haunted attic spaces
deep within my mind
–
dancing alone
the ghosts
of past lovers

your licorice lips
the taste of clove and anise
lingers on my tongue
–
quiet sunrise
a rose bud
slowly opens