Hunger – Iron Haiku

River

herons in the reeds-
crabs hide under stones after
the overnight rain
–
river rocks-
barbel catfish lurk
in the shadows

bright mid-winter stars-
your alabaster shoulders
dressed by the ghost moon
–
rumpled sheets-
asleep intertwined
blanketed by the moon

horizontal snow-
sparrows visit my feeder
heedless of the storm
–
rime crusted wings-
a short respite
on my lilac

a cold night’s work done-
the creeping light of daybreak
seeps into my tomb
–
guttering torchlight-
weary of the death
that slakes my thirst

under summer stars-
in the fading moonlight she
could almost be you
–
iron skies-
across the piazza
you become the crowd

vultures overhead-
circling waiting before
feasting on the dead
–
red skies-
a tempest
at our door

a passing shower-
drops of moonlight patter on
our shared umbrella
–
the taxi gone-
three long flights
to your apartment

the porch light goes dark-
the taste of cherry chapstick
lingers on my lips
–
lost in your garden-
crimson tulips
brush my cheek

on reticent wings
under cover of darkness-
silently hunting
–
liquid moon-
a stream of bats
flows through the night sky

reaching from behind
the hands at his neck slowly
loosening his tie
–
watching ants-
his entire life
buttoned down