Hunger – Page 14 – Iron Haiku

the burning red orb
casts its gaze about the land
hard and unblinking
–
ragweed-
my eyes swollen
and gritty

tiny ballet shoes-
waiting for the curtain in
crinoline and lace
–
sunday afternoon-
long hours
at the barre

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

alabaster skin
flush with the pain of pleasure
however fleeting
–
lilacs in bloom-
bees harbored
in the blossoms

out with the mistress-
his rose garden wilting in
the seething sun
–
my delicate rose-
thorns buried
in my skin

hiding from the sun
living in the shadows while
I curse the darkness
–
the moon obscured-
my ancient thirst
unslaked

a beer in my hand
cut grass drying on the lawn
as the clouds pass by
–
muted laughter-
steaks sear
over glowing coals

almost a year clean
yet I still have a hard time
passing by the spoons
–
closing time –
club soda
my paltry reward

from this day forward
two lives bound together by
simple bands of gold
–
rich brown earth-
massive oxen
yoked together

as my eyesight fades
I think I finally see
my destination
–
a grey heron-
motionless in the
standing water