Cold – Page 43 – Iron Haiku

an aging oak tree-
all our sins laid bare beneath
the outstretched branches
–
a shoe in the grass-
the tire swing
motionless

picking at breakfast
sitting across the table
from the ghost of you
–
wilted flowers-
your whisper
in my ear

the day’s work is done
a blanket of fog settles
over bleaching bones
–
curling water-
the soft rattle
of empty shells

ebony leaves strewn
across an indigo sky
fading out to black
–
moonless-
the warm glow
of a distant fire

searching for a trace
of the light behind your eyes
but making my peace
–
afterimage-
the candle
doused

thoughts of the fallen-
those who purchased our freedoms
with their flesh and blood
–
old glory-
a red haze blinding
the dogs of war

wandering the earth
easing pain and suffering
collecting last breaths
–
a copse of trees-
bones
amid the litter

staying up all night
just to fall asleep with you
and the breaking dawn
–
frogs in the trees-
rising woodsmoke
staining the sunset

a blanket of clouds
pulled up tight over my head
shutting out the day
–
morning song-
the reluctance
of wakefulness

weary of this need
yearning to see the sun but
your throat, so tempting
–
orion’s belt-
clouds of bats
obscure the moon