Night – Page 43 – Iron Haiku

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

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

guttering gas lamps
weakly lighting the platform
where she waits, in vain
–
the scent of jasmine-
a silent stream
turns to ice

life can be fickle
hold your lover close tonight
before it’s too late
–
a darkened doorway-
your soft lips hard
against mine

a sprit of fire
shining brightly in the night
dowsed before it’s time
–
all at once-
the dancing flame
now only smoke

entwined in the sheets
last night you were in my bed
complicating things
–
a cold rain-
leaving alone
at closing time

as winter arrives
fog seeps into the valley
under a veiled moon
–
harvest moon-
the arthritic fingers
of barren trees

a deep mountain pool
overflowing with moonlight
waiting on the rain
–
predawn silence-
dew collects
on fallen leaves

grey curls of wet smoke-
the kiss of embers linger
on her ruby lips
–
midnight sweat-
a lazy ceiling fan
stirs the air