Night – Page 16 – Iron Haiku

northern white cedars-
the cliff face of ragged stone
falling to the sea
–
out of the fog-
a grand tower
of sun bleached stone

the low western sun-
surrounding the rising moon
a golden halo
–
thunder rolls-
dark clouds pass
before the moon

off the mountain road
a wake of buzzards gather
‘round a fallen deer
–
moonrise-
the fawn waits
in the tall grass

on a twisted branch
outside my window a crow
in the black of night
–
india ink-
an ebony feather
is my quill

midwinter moonlight-
hushed stillness split by the cries
of mother and child
–
nesting jays-
the silence of
broken eggshells

a dank feeble breeze-
the rumble of the el train
passing my window
–
distant sirens-
my room awash
in a neon glow

rain thunders outside-
oil painted landscapes smearing
against my window
–
old masters-
failing vision
frozen in time

the bedroom window-
a midnight breeze eases past
the open curtains
–
april morning-
open windows
heavy blankets

walking from the train
a soft rain begins to wash
off the day’s burdens
–
eyes closed-
rocked to sleep
among strangers

telling ghost stories-
embers on the rising smoke
mixing with the stars
–
distant howls-
another log
feeds the fire