Summer – Page 4 – Iron Haiku

a cold night’s work done-
the creeping light of daybreak
seeps into my tomb
–
guttering torchlight-
weary of the death
that slakes my thirst

a thin scrim of frost-
muddy waters churn beneath
this fragile veneer
–
storm clouds-
reopening
old wounds

‘neath a festive sky-
cold ashes rain down upon
old lakota land
–
beneath the stars-
none of us free
unto the last

seeking inner peace-
silently blessing all those
who would do me ill
–
approaching dawn-
tea and birdsong
refills my soul

milkweed in the wind-
beside the ancient live oak
I bury our bones
–
a lonesome gong-
pale wisps of trees
fade in the mist

lavender shadows-
flowers from a tuscan yard
in a patch of sun
–
cardinal songs-
a sun flower
turns its head

the dawning solstice-
children of the earth and sky
taste the rising sun
–
pheasant’s eyes-
ghosts of stone men
herald the sun

an old farmers sink-
her mind miles away from the
blood in the carpet
–
back garden soil-
no amount of soap
makes her feel clean

under summer stars-
in the fading moonlight she
could almost be you
–
iron skies-
across the piazza
you become the crowd

opening the blinds-
the white light of a full moon
caresses your skin
–
pounding surf-
the taste of salt
on your lips