Broken – Page 37 – Iron Haiku

my temper flares up
in the heat of the moment
yet I’m the one burned
–
desert sun-
my ego buried
in the sand

hoping against hope
to stem the incoming tide
and still it rises
–
august-
forsaken
by the sun

thick solemn silence
dozens of flag draped coffins
lining the tarmac
–
echoes of summer-
shell casings
in a folded flag

cut from the same cloth
the two of us holding fast
lest it unravel
–
sheep shearing-
lost in thought
or so it seems

i look at myself
and listen to my own lies
praying that they’re true
–
reflections-
outside my window
a magpie

your small fragile hand
once grasped so tightly in mine
now a hardened fist
–
clear blue sky-
learning to fly
on the way down

out of the shadows
and into the light of day
burning in the sun
–
august sun-
wreaths of flowers
wilting by the roadside

the lust for power
buried in the hearts of men
exhumed far too soon
–
hesitation-
the sharp crack
of thin ice

history lessons-
hard fought wisdom wasted on
those who will not learn
–
melting ice-
unwilling to accept
being this path

head back and arms wide
inviting the elements
to do what they will
–
an umbrella-
defenseless in
the light of day