Death – Page 3 – Iron Haiku

vultures overhead-
circling waiting before
feasting on the dead
–
red skies-
a tempest
at our door

drowning each of us
in the blood of our comrades
within sight of shore
–
tulips blossom-
death takes no heed
upon who’s grave

shadows of small flags-
with a bouquet of flowers
she runs to your grave
–
mourning doves-
the young man
on the mantle

my rhododendrons-
robins erupt into song
just before the dawn
–
the sun rises-
heedless of the
whiskey and beer

as I leave this world
I pour my soul into you-
one last parting gift
–
out of the fire-
a perfect vessel
cracked

on reticent wings
under cover of darkness-
silently hunting
–
liquid moon-
a stream of bats
flows through the night sky

footprints in the sand-
the incoming tide covers
any trace of me
–
amid the leaves-
an adder’s
shed skin

winter’s dying breath-
the winged herald of spring
arriving too late
–
morning frost-
tender lilac buds
robed in ice

social distancing-
tulip blossoms pay no heed
to the fall of man
–
robin’s song-
mankind’s
lament

much more so than life
death will be my defining
characteristic
–
a cold rain
the bus arrives
to take me back home