Breath – Page 34 – Iron Haiku

dry mouthed and sweaty
frozen in front of a crowd
my practiced speech, gone
–
black water
at the precipice
of hesitationD

a pencil thin wind
eases through balding branches
swirling russet leaves
–
mountain pines
an autumn snowfall
ices the boughs

wrapped in a blanket
of condolence and comfort
still mired in grief
–
shooting stars
crossing skyward
on golden wings

moonlight runs into
the soft hollow of your throat
and spills down your breast
–
blue black night
the grey owl
becomes the moon

clinging to the flames
my mortal sins escape me
carried by the wind
–
absolution
casting bread
upon the water

small talk in their booth
a dinner plate shatters and
she’s back in Iraq
–
turning winds
a yearling doe
prepares to bolt

thin walls, raised voices
across the street, it’s last call
in my third floor flat
–
crow on a gaslight
fog blanketing
cobblestones

nubile and supple
and every move reminds me
of my need for you
–
warm afternoon sun
sodden and hungry
awaiting the spawn

tracing my fingers
across the sinuous curves
of your arching back
–
the crescent moon
your lips turn
towards mine

as dawn approaches
the breath of autumn whispers
in the swirling leaves
–
barefoot at dawn
walking in the surf
I draw you closer