Cold – Page 11 – Iron Haiku

rising car exhaust
lifted on the morning breeze
before dissolving
–
the waning sun-
at the curb
idling

smoke from the chimney-
a startled crack leaves embers
glowing on the hearth
–
whispers of smoke-
coals nestled in
among the ashes

curling ocean waves-
the blackbird’s white feathered wings
touch an azure sky
–
glass dipped in frost-
a magpie taps
at my window

a stinging backhand-
the first truly cold fall day
greets me with malice
–
grey exhaust-
white plumes
of breath

I can feel you breathe
swaddled in my dead embrace
my arms paralyzed
–
a twin bed-
your pajamas
against my skin

staring at the clock
waiting an eternity
for the time to change
–
my mind’s ear-
wide awake
in the dark

a postulant soul
emerges from the shadows
selling fools false light
–
silver tongues-
gilded lies and
tainted truths

pumpkins on the porch-
fall winds whisper through the night
welcoming the frost
–
evening winds-
the waltzing of
fallen leaves

a hillside cottage-
the morning sun clears the clouds
asleep on the roof
–
first starlight-
fog creeps in
from the underbrush

emerging starlight-
walking past the coal stained homes
the old lamplighter
–
freshly cut grass-
rusted ice tongs
in the tool shed