Sadness – Page 21 – Iron Haiku

well after midnight
christmas eve fire in the hearth
burning down to ash
–
a warm hearth-
ashes mix with
the falling snow

crimson veins of ink
bleed into the blotter from
my old fountain pen
–
guttering flames-
reams of paper
absorb my words

deep in the pine boughs-
a cardinal dusted with
the season’s first snow
–
winter solstice
the last leaf falls
on fresh snow

freshly cut flowers
in what used to be your urn
on my mantle piece
–
empty boxes-
the dog sleeps
on your side

leaving my baggage
there’s far too much to carry
along this journey
–
the river left behind-
ewer water
darkens the road

my eyelids heavy
weighed down by lies from the past
that I can’t escape
–
dark skies-
mountain rains
flood the valley

lonely red roses
walked off from the outside by
a thicket of thorns
–
the sun
our children at play
in the back yard

folding the laundry-
I struggle with the mundane
while fame eludes me
–
feeding the birds-
a passing peacock
opens his tail

alone in my room-
I can only feel safe when
no one’s allowed in
–
dying light-
the forest
changes

warm morning sunlight-
a vague shadow on the wall
in the shape of you
–
a glass of wine-
the warm glow
on your face