Peace – Page 59 – Iron Haiku

gilded double doors
open with empty promises
of false salvation
–
heavy leaden sky-
swollen riverbanks
poised to overflow

tumbling down hill
chatting and laughing aloud
running to the sea
–
freshly frozen-
on the lake shore
crackled glass

staring deep into
an empty sheet of paper
conjuring the muse
–
winter’s canvas-
a palette of pine
and fresh snow

a new day dawning
stale vestiges of the past
left by the roadside
–
first light-
the morning star
through hollow trees

chasing the sunset
just over the horizon
ever out of reach
–
hoary grass-
the sky aglow in
morning twilight

by the temple gates
burning incense left as a
simple offering
–
hot springs-
steam rising from
the snow monkeys

visiting the well
my wooden bucket dipping
deep in the moonlight
–
alongside the lake-
the harvest moon
follows me home

splintering sunlight
broad winter shadows reaching
out across the lea
–
fresh snow-
a smattering
of paw prints

waiting for the thaw
beneath fallen leaves and snow
a box turtle sleeps
–
frosted windows-
deeply burrowed
under blankets

the year’s longest night
herald the winter solstice
ere the morning comes
–
watching our breath-
the black of night
pierced by stars