Fear – Page 32 – Iron Haiku

thoughts of the fallen-
those who purchased our freedoms
with their flesh and blood
–
old glory-
a red haze blinding
the dogs of war

wandering the earth
easing pain and suffering
collecting last breaths
–
a copse of trees-
bones
amid the litter

shellshocked and bleeding-
wandering the husk of a
demolished building
–
floating ash-
Nothing left but
deafening silence

bright may afternoons-
the vibrant splash of dogwoods
warm suburban yards
–
cirrus clouds-
among the flowers
surreptitious bees

time draws to a close-
I hold his hand, helping him
walk across this bridge
–
a pale horse-
the onus
of these souls

along the roadside-
once a stately facade, now
a pile of old stones
–
gentle rain-
crows perch upon
a weathered grave

take my outstretched hand
and let us walk together
across this threshold
–
distant mountain peaks-
over the dewey grass
the rising sun

roadmaps of black veins
crawl across her damaged arms
recording the hits
–
sheer bliss-
a wasp amid
the rose stems

shards of old grudges-
determined to stay angry
poisoning myself
–
dusty trainers-
running from the sound
of broken glass

holding you tightly
wondering just where you go
when the darkness comes
–
stifling heat-
electric blue veins
dance across the storm