Lost – Page 23 – Iron Haiku

locked in my safe room
the world burning down outside-
is it hot in here?
–
crimson sky-
ashes drifting
on hot winds

I close my eyes and
before sleep overtakes me
I pray for those I’ve killed
–
fireworks-
earplugs in
a darkened room

blind and deaf old men
sit in darkened boardrooms and
beat the drums of war
–
black water-
death waiting
on the far bank

on the village green
the hollow toll of church bells
ringing out the dead
–
frozen earth-
grave diggers toil
into the night

in my father’s chair
still unprepared to carry
this heavy burden
–
fallen acorns-
my little feet
in your shoes

written in anger
signed in blood and gently sealed
with the kiss of death
–
impending storm-
newspapers aloft
in the morning wind

each time you leave me
it gets a little harder
to let you back in
–
terra cotta-
under the pot
the door key

a pair of sneakers
found by the side of the road
after the cleanup
–
waiting crows-
a possum’s
sacrifice

the darkness complete-
standing on the precipice
shouting at the void
–
the village green-
I hunt for the
elusive middle

a toad on his throne
surrounded by those mirrors
that show him a prince
–
rain streaked windows-
the world outside
distorted