Elemental – Iron Haiku

slowly clearing skies-
the stillness of rain water
in a fallen leaf
–
soft wet earth-
a new stream born
of autumn rain

february hush-
dawn reveals willows dressed in
january snow
–
sunrise-
crusted snow
underfoot

ivory wavelets-
remnants of the evening’s wind
scalloped in the snow
–
winter’s fury-
a tempest borne
on driven snow

a neglected path-
moss hides a forgotten shrine
the small gods long gone
–
meditation-
clay teapots
dry in the sun

february wind-
red cheeks burning from a cold
slap across the face
–
digging out-
melting snow
mingles with sweat

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

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

unearthed by the wind-
stone sentinels laid low by
the passage of time
–
dew kissed moss-
a small stone shrine
unvisited

a thin scrim of frost-
muddy waters churn beneath
this fragile veneer
–
storm clouds-
reopening
old wounds

milkweed in the wind-
beside the ancient live oak
I bury our bones
–
a lonesome gong-
pale wisps of trees
fade in the mist