Forest – Iron Haiku

a willow’s caress-
snow laden branches reach down
to stroke the water
–
frozen stones-
roiling water
skinned in ice

opalescent clouds-
shadows on the moonlit snow
cast by trees long dead
–
dying embers-
in the dark I become
the falling snow

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

leaves soft underfoot-
in the dawning mist great oaks
fade into the sky
–
blackbird-
morning fog
through the trees

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

the rustling breeze-
leaves coerced from their branches
to dance in the wind
–
quarantined-
milkweed seeds float
past my window

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

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

soaring red-tailed hawks-

below veiled skies verdant trees

emerge from the mist

–

between the clouds

and the cut grass-

a wounded crow

a chorus of birds-
greening trees cast shade across
our secret meadow
–
slating sunlight-
motes of dust
defy gravity