Life – Page 107 – Iron Haiku

long ago I was
your knight in shining armor
now I’m just tarnished
–
rusted hinges-
an old mare
out to pasture

my view, distorted
looking up from the bottom
of this hole I’ve dug
–
a rimy pond-
peering up through
frozen cataracts

becoming August
fevered skin, heat lightning, and
the promise of rain
–
an azure pond-
fish break the surface
amid the evening rain

sitting on the dock
losing patience waiting for
my ship to come in
–
a cold hard rain-
the dog brings
her leash

falling off my bike
I become one with the earth
for just a moment
–
june twilight-
our vows float away
on paper lanterns

swallowing my doubts
returning day after day
in case you wake up
–
patchwork sunlight-
I brush the sleep
from your lips

on the precipice
staring out into the void
and back at myself
–
barren branches-
a great horned owl
spreads her wings

awash in the surf
my toes buried in the stars
strewn across the sky
–
ebb tide-
crushed shells
and hermit crabs

left in a doorway
the simple offering of
a small jade Buddha
–
the slanting sun-
putting to bed the
last work of the day

frost on the windows-
heat from the radiator
rustles the curtains
–
warm boots-
glowing embers
adrift in the smoke