Sadness – Page 43 – Iron Haiku

on this lonesome road
my only legacy the
footprints in the dust
–
empty shells-
ocean waves
wash the shore

anger in the air
reflections in the window
barely ghosts of us
–
cat tails-
the calm surface
minnows just below

continuity-
ancient traditions upheld
for generations
–
lichens on stone-
the huron pine
adds another ring

the late august sky-
from behind the thinning clouds
unfamiliar stars
–
the dead of night-
a pewter moon
rising

the time worn tombstones
children taken far too soon
their stories untold
–
a cardinal takes wing-
poppy blossoms
in the church yard

in the overgrowth
well worn by the hands of time
forgotten tombstones
–
by the window
waiting, staring
at the falling snow

sailing the narrows
navigating the graveyards
of nameless seamen
–
rising tide-
waves break
on hidden shoals

dwelling in the past-
bricked up in this house of pain
my arm, my jailer
–
a wasp’s sting-
repeated lies
no longer told

mired in my fears
a prisoner of what was
slave to what might be
–
hawk’s shadow
into a deadfall
a rabbit tail

acrid smoke rising
the ruins of our marriage
burned and smoldering
–
twilight-
our wedding vows
worn and tarnished