Cold – Page 48 – Iron Haiku

awake at first light
realizing far too late
I’m not who I thought
–
venus rising-
difficult memories
consigned to the fire

tumbling down hill
chatting and laughing aloud
running to the sea
–
freshly frozen-
on the lake shore
crackled glass

staring deep into
an empty sheet of paper
conjuring the muse
–
winter’s canvas-
a palette of pine
and fresh snow

chasing the sunset
just over the horizon
ever out of reach
–
hoary grass-
the sky aglow in
morning twilight

by the temple gates
burning incense left as a
simple offering
–
hot springs-
steam rising from
the snow monkeys

death comes unbidden-
a brief pause before leaving
to collect his due
–
icicles-
melting in
the winer sun

visiting the well
my wooden bucket dipping
deep in the moonlight
–
alongside the lake-
the harvest moon
follows me home

splintering sunlight
broad winter shadows reaching
out across the lea
–
fresh snow-
a smattering
of paw prints

bitter grievances
at the holiday table
long past time for peace
–
unrelenting
a winter river
choked with ice

lies in the mirror
not what we truly are but
what we wish to be
–
leafless-
reflections in
the watery sky