Cold – Page 26 – Iron Haiku

the afternoon sky-
dark shadows of contrails paint
the white clouds bellow
–
early morning-
my head and office
above the clouds

wings skim the lake as
a great blue heron takes flight
in the predawn mist
–
the rising sun-
hidden amid
the cattails

in the driving rain-
train doors close as a blue suit
runs past my window
–
dripping leaves-
rippled shadows
in clear water

on the village green
the shadows of injustice
hang from an oak tree
–
greasy smoke-
torches light
a darkened path

feeling out of place
out of time and out of mind
without you with me
–
unfamiliar stars-
in hotel sheets
missing you

you think things are bad
why not try rolling your eyes
at me one more time
–
crows take flight-
under the elm
a shallow grave

a bite in the air-
nighthawks begin flying south
along the shoreline
–
orange moon-
the year’s work
ready for harvest

still she counts the ships-
her thick wool sweater stained red
with the setting sun
–
date night-
she sits at a table
set for one

a beast of burden-
the cold weight of my shadow
pins me to the past
–
shadow boxes-
beetle’s wings
on display

your name on my phone-
against my better judgment
I answer the call
–
labor day-
the first taste
of pumpkin spice