Forest – Page 8 – Iron Haiku

japanese maples-
bright crimson leaves caught aflame
in the morning sun
–
sudden rain-
sheltering under
an elephant’s ear

draped across the yard
a patchwork of autumn leaves
quilted by the wind
–
november air-
bronzed oak leaves
litter the ground

you think things are bad
why not try rolling your eyes
at me one more time
–
crows take flight-
under the elm
a shallow grave

turkey tail mushrooms-
beauty found within decay
and reclamation
–
in the dark-
nimble fingers pick
the mushroom harvest

my journal entry-
today I start another
lap around the sun
–
willow branches-
a crack appears
in the robin’s egg

all the leaves scattered
standing despite itself but
rotten at the core
–
a forest altar-
oaken pews
standing empty

moonlight in the trees-
silently a cold wind shifts
shadows on the snow
–
long shadows-
the warm wind
walks me home

meager candle light
cast upon these cottage walls
mingles with shadows
–
gold leaf-
dappled through
the tree tops

elusive silence-
a old game of whispers played
within my own head
–
before dawn-
the wind talking
with the leaves

families asunder-
buzzards circling high above
the southwest desert
–
riding the smoke-
wild horses
in the distance