Emotions – Iron Haiku

absent mourning doves-
I wander aimless around
this cold empty house
–
twelve years gone-
still missing your
hair in the sink

weary of donning
this mask, this gown, these gloves, I
once more go to work
–
hospital corridors-
the white noise
of dying

standing by the sink-
I feel the warmth from your feet
on the bathroom floor
–
lost in your dreams-
I silence my alarm
before it wakes you

brought forth from the ice-
my tarnished battle armor
deeply scarred from use
–
far from the cherry blossoms-
the clarion call
of battle

wreaths of dead flowers-
how can I blame you now for
my dirty dishes
–
the front door locked-
my footsteps echo
down the hall

engulfed in blue flames-
as my life turns to ashes
I step out reborn
–
down among the ashes-
the rain arrives
far too late

lost in the mirror-
years collecting on the floor
‘neath the barber’s chair
–
wading-
knee deep
in the past

a cold water flat-
the pilot light on the stove
sputters and goes out
–
new year’s eve-
the rent check
overdue

linens on the line-
warm peals of children’s laughter
waft in on the breeze
–
wicker baskets-
a coffee can of
broken clothespins

under a blood moon-
take my name from off your lips
and release my soul
–
wet ink-
my name
bound to you