Winter – Page 35 – Iron Haiku

sitting on the dock
losing patience waiting for
my ship to come in
–
a cold hard rain-
the dog brings
her leash

on the precipice
staring out into the void
and back at myself
–
barren branches-
a great horned owl
spreads her wings

awash in the surf
my toes buried in the stars
strewn across the sky
–
ebb tide-
crushed shells
and hermit crabs

left in a doorway
the simple offering of
a small jade Buddha
–
the slanting sun-
putting to bed the
last work of the day

frost on the windows-
heat from the radiator
rustles the curtains
–
warm boots-
glowing embers
adrift in the smoke

guttering gas lamps
weakly lighting the platform
where she waits, in vain
–
the scent of jasmine-
a silent stream
turns to ice

before the thunder
a flash of jagged lightning
frozen in the snow
–
august sagebrush-
ravenous flames
insatiable

life can be fickle
hold your lover close tonight
before it’s too late
–
a darkened doorway-
your soft lips hard
against mine

a sprit of fire
shining brightly in the night
dowsed before it’s time
–
all at once-
the dancing flame
now only smoke

entwined in the sheets
last night you were in my bed
complicating things
–
a cold rain-
leaving alone
at closing time