Heat – Page 26 – Iron Haiku

before the thunder
a flash of jagged lightning
frozen in the snow
–
august sagebrush-
ravenous flames
insatiable

life can be fickle
hold your lover close tonight
before it’s too late
–
a darkened doorway-
your soft lips hard
against mine

entwined in the sheets
last night you were in my bed
complicating things
–
a cold rain-
leaving alone
at closing time

a warm southern breeze
long willow boughs sway gently
caressing the earth
–
spring rains-
the willow’s soft tears
darken the ground

standing at the bow
salt spray drenching your sundress
the sun in your hair
–
terns on the wing-
flecks of sea foam
floating gently past

caught in the moment
losing time watching you dance
barefoot in the rain
–
cloudburst-
green leaves on the
steaming pavement

down by the lakeside
a skein of migrating geese
glide in for a rest
–
hot pavement-
the roar of flight
fills my ears

awake at first light
realizing far too late
I’m not who I thought
–
venus rising-
difficult memories
consigned to the fire

grey curls of wet smoke-
the kiss of embers linger
on her ruby lips
–
midnight sweat-
a lazy ceiling fan
stirs the air

stolen innocence-
inured to constant violence
and lost empathy
–
distant wildfires
a false sunset in
the eastern sky