Forest – Page 7 – Iron Haiku

snow laden branches
bent over in silent prayer
to the cold north wind
–
unanswered prayers-
the stone floor cold
against his cheek

the last leaf of fall-
waiting for the warm spring sun
buried under snow
–
falling sleet-
an icy glaze
on english ivy

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

a cold rain falling-
trying to stay warm with tales
of wine and whiskey
–
white mountains-
caribou freeze
at a cracking branch

at the forest’s edge
a guttering lantern hangs
from a shepherd’s crook
–
winter stars-
the warm glow
of a coach lamp

an overnight storm
invades my dreams and I wake
to trees turned to glass
–
frozen rain-
crystal branches
brush the ground

bitter on the tongue-
the hot bilious taste of
someone else’s fear
–
an owl’s cry-
the field mouse
frozen

your slow gentle breath
in the forest silver wolves
hold court with the moon
–
icy water-
the sound of blood
rushing in my ears

running through the woods
peep frogs fall silent as I
pass by unannounced
–
frozen breath-
the sun rises
to greet me

whispers of thunder
dry lightning in distant hills
the rain long absent
–
autumn hills-
ashes rain
on the valley