Winter – Page 2 – Iron Haiku

weary of donning
this mask, this gown, these gloves, I
once more go to work
–
hospital corridors-
the white noise
of dying

the soft eastern sky-
treetops gilded in copper
frame the rising sun
–
daybreak-
the furnace and I
struggle to wake up

cocooned in afghans-
bright remnants of creation
streak across the sky
–
deep desert night-
the great arc of stars
lights the horizon

standing by the sink-
I feel the warmth from your feet
on the bathroom floor
–
lost in your dreams-
I silence my alarm
before it wakes you

brought forth from the ice-
my tarnished battle armor
deeply scarred from use
–
far from the cherry blossoms-
the clarion call
of battle

seventh floor walk up-
down in the street feral cats
howl in the moonlight
–
stuck to my sheets-
the only breeze
from a passing train

wreaths of dead flowers-
how can I blame you now for
my dirty dishes
–
the front door locked-
my footsteps echo
down the hall

herons in the reeds-
crabs hide under stones after
the overnight rain
–
river rocks-
barbel catfish lurk
in the shadows

engulfed in blue flames-
as my life turns to ashes
I step out reborn
–
down among the ashes-
the rain arrives
far too late

pinpoints of silver-
constellations embroidered
on a velvet sky
–
woolen blankets-
meteor spotting
on a winter night