Cold – Page 3 – Iron Haiku

horizontal snow-
sparrows visit my feeder
heedless of the storm
–
rime crusted wings-
a short respite
on my lilac

dry and brittle leaves-
remnants of an early fall
captive in the snow
–
crisp white linens-
leaves tumble
in the wind

frigid midnight winds-
the moon smears lampblack shadows
on the virgin snow
–
wolf moon-
winter berries
turn to ash

wrought iron street lamps-
ancient cobblestones vanish
in the rising fog
–
echos of hooves-
a hansom cab
lost in the mist

rails shrouded in fog-
a ghost train departs beneath
the approaching dawn
–
sunrise shadows-
nascent snow cradled in
dry autumn leaves

encroaching midnight-
the doomsday clock poised to toll
humanity’s dirge
–
pools of red wax-
guttering candles
cast their meager light

honeysuckle wine-
content letting the front porch
host my slow decline
–
passing cars-
an afghan shrouds
her empty rocker

ghost of old rumors-
morbid curiosity
about the house on the hill
–
a one eyed crow-
tortured shrieks of
wrought iron hinges

under a shade elm
I leave a small stone marking
the site of my grave
–
cut white lilies-
so casually
discarded

a cold night’s work done-
the creeping light of daybreak
seeps into my tomb
–
guttering torchlight-
weary of the death
that slakes my thirst