Between – Page 11 – Iron Haiku

a bottlebrush tail
the cat readies to pounce on
the bat by my door
–
cans clatter-
small marauders
stalk the alleyway

crimson rose petals
clinging to a withered stem
slowly turning brown
–
tea rose petals –
the crystal bowl
overflowing

an overgrown lawn-
ravens nest in the eaves of
what was once a home
–
rotting lumber-
vines climb
though the floor

my blood in the sink-
I should be panicking but
I can’t feel the pain
–
tendrils of fog-
undisturbed by the hooves
of a pale horse

shredded paper towels
last night’s garbage strewn about-
I know you’re to blame
–
morning sun –
in the doorway
indecisive

unexpected rain-
a brief but welcome respite
from the summer heat
–
clearing skies-
the gift of
a rainbow

sitting on the train
I look across the aisle and
see you as you were
–
hot city streets-
a stranger wears
my memories

a smiling buddha
round belly worn smooth by
hands of thousands
–
pagoda doors-
stone steps cut
in the hillside

a thousand lifetimes
wasted following the path
of least resistance
–
spring dawn-
first sunrise
seen again

a sidewalk bistro-
over my coffee judging
everyone I see
–
al fresco-
sipping coffee
headphones on