Death – Page 37 – Iron Haiku

a sprit of fire
shining brightly in the night
dowsed before it’s time
–
all at once-
the dancing flame
now only smoke

as winter arrives
fog seeps into the valley
under a veiled moon
–
harvest moon-
the arthritic fingers
of barren trees

gilded double doors
open with empty promises
of false salvation
–
heavy leaden sky-
swollen riverbanks
poised to overflow

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

pulled taut and snapping
the pole holding fast the flag
standing at half mast
–
icy rain
her cheeks
freshly wet

a torn cap worn low
collar turned against the wind
shrouded in darkness
–
a squalid doorway-
scant shelter from
the bitter cold

contemplating life
and remembering the dead
this cold winter night
–
the cutting north wind-
heavily laden with
bitter freight

stolen innocence-
inured to constant violence
and lost empathy
–
distant wildfires
a false sunset in
the eastern sky

the hours before dawn
weaving my way back home through
the thinnest of light
–
gently becoming
as one with
the winter sky

pulling on my hand
leading me into darkness
blind to your intent
–
autumn’s glory
reflections in
our tiny screens