Family – Page 9 – Iron Haiku

I placed you upon
a pedestal and now you’re
far beyond my reach
–
the house dark-
a distant moon
through the skylight

strange muted voices
filtered through thin hotel walls
keeping me awake
–
overcast-
alone again
far from home

my outstretched fingers-
reaching out for your touch but
you’re already gone
–
icy fog-
your skin cold
to the touch

the scent of rabbit
coaxes the fox from her den
and into the snow
–
late winter-
fresh snow
on the deadfall

so many evenings
spent in stony solitude
with yet without you
–
rain etched stones-
the once neat path
overgrown

the warm light of dawn
eases in through the curtains
and kisses your cheek
–
early light-
a gentle kiss on
your sleeping head

the wan morning light-
wrapped up in your nakedness
unwilling to move
–
your damp hair-
for now I’m
the big spoon

empty wine bottles-
binging our favorite series
into the wee hours
–
dying embers-
our feet under
the afghan

this fight is over
and yet I find myself still
walking on eggshells
–
fallen trees-
we drive home
in silence

friends and enemies
all are but dust as I wait
for mortality
–
a dark attic-
old records
gathering dust