Winter – Page 30 – Iron Haiku

from across the room
I catch sight of your face and
my breath escapes me
–
waiting in a queue-
plumes of breath
and exhaust

aimlessly searching
for a place to lay my bones
when the light fails me
–
fresh engravings-
the morning sun
on frosted stone

full of suspicions-
in our bed looking at you
lying beside me
–
crevasse-
a broken trust
far from healing

violent currents
slake their thirst with sailor’s lives
by the gates of hell
–
jagged ice-
ancient wrecks
litter the narrows

a glass dragonfly
darts through the air and alights
on my upturned palm
–
low winter sun-
stained glass
painting the wall

the lust for power
buried in the hearts of men
exhumed far too soon
–
hesitation-
the sharp crack
of thin ice

telling my story
words spilling off of my tongue
and into your ears
–
snowfall-
the chasm
of a blank page

history lessons-
hard fought wisdom wasted on
those who will not learn
–
melting ice-
unwilling to accept
being this path

low afternoon sun-
the play of shadow and light
against your bare skin
–
under the sheets-
between us
the midnight sun

head back and arms wide
inviting the elements
to do what they will
–
an umbrella-
defenseless in
the light of day