River – Page 9 – Iron Haiku

twisted roots reach out
from the dappled forest floor
to steal my footing
–
mangroves
arise from the bayou
on tangled bones

swaying water grass
iridescent dragonflies
hover in the breeze
–
gusting wind
ripples in
the lavender

long flowing tresses
cascade down from her shoulders
swirling at her feet
–
running
fast and free
into the future

patiently waiting
the river of time seems to
slow to a trickle
–
mayflies
in the pond
a snapping turtle

caressed by the pen
ink and paper combine with
the lightness of verse
–
liquid words
meandering
into prose

a cold winter night
staccato rain on the roof
you, keeping me warm
–
winter’s eve
with you, I’m
warm inside

strong flowing rivers
carry meadows and mountains
away to the sea
–
april rains…
roaring brooks
become brethren

a mirror’s surface
where the water meets the shore
ripples in the wind
–
cat tails
growing in and
out of the water

ancient banyan roots
a lounging snapping turtle
basks in the sunlight
–
bayou roots-
the sun warms
a lazy turtle

The springtime wetland
Chorus comes alive at dusk
As the peep frogs sing