Peace – Page 70 – Iron Haiku

Patience

my heart held hostage
as a testament to your
faith in my return
—
waiting-
my heart
as collateral

a paper lantern
carried aloft on the breeze
lights the evening sky

—

twilight-
illuminated by
a passing lantern

often I frequent

my mind’s darker recesses

to search for solace
Or
in the dark corners
of my mind

seeking peace-

the old man’s brushes

with fluid movements coax life

out of the canvas

Hatred is easy
Love and compassion require
Effort and hard work.

Shards of your anger
Litter the ground around you
Keeping me at bay

Lightning bugs at dusk
Their glow, a beacon for those
Seeking simpler times

Through the morning mist
A wading crane, motionless
Suddenly takes flight

Darkness enshrouds me
While subtle forces gently
Send me toward the light

I wonder what kind

Of man I would have become

If we hadn’t met