Shadow – Page 22 – Iron Haiku

the black charred remnants
of forty years of marriage
smolder between us
–
a fallen tree-
reduced
to ash

rooted to the ground
frozen, my mind replaying
one moment in time
–
blinding sun-
the city street
unnaturally quiet

standing behind you
the center of attention
almost out of view
–
ill wind-
spiders repair
their broken webs

sitting on my couch
not sure if I can get up
after shoveling
–
rabbit tracks-
a snowy owl
motionless

the walk to the car-
turning my jacket collar
up against the wind
–
aging-
cold breath
on my neck

in the evening sky-
the suggestion of darkness
from the crescent moon
–
new moon-
black before
the dark of night

by her bedroom door
listening to my daughter
cry herself to sleep
–
leafless boughs-
no resistance to
the howling winds

heads bowed in respect
under an overcast sky
the flag at half mast
–
rising winds-
halyards ring
the flagpole

early summer hay
cut by hand and harvested
drying in the sun
–
short shadows-
winnowing wheat
under the burning sun

november evening-
skeletal trees charcoal black
in the fading light
–
graveyard’s edge-
bone fingers
in the mist