Shadow – Page 23 – Iron Haiku

gentle drops of rain
fall from the trees to collect
on my upturned face
–
quiet water-
minnows surface
beneath my shadow

mired in the past
endlessly forced to repeat
the sins of my youth
–
born of fire-
ashes rise
into the night

stone walls and dirt floors-
candle flames cling to their wicks
throwing dark shadows
–
straw bedding-
a tallow candle’s
uneasy light

waiting for the sun-
sitting on a weathered dock
fishing rod in hand
–
fly fishing-
casting shadows
on the water

in silent anguish
the mute reach out for justice
their voices stolen
–
discordant music-
in the apple tree
a starling

sensing acceptace
evil walks in the daylight
no longer afraid
–
sunlight-
insects scatter
from prying eyes

staring at myself-
the bottom of a shot glass
looking back at me
–
oasis-
an empty carcass
in the sand

hard conversations
and a tongue well versed in the
dialogue of death
–
cherry blossoms-
walking the garden
with just enough poison

staring unfocused-
bloodshot sky barely noticed
through these bleary eyes
–
cottonmouth-
a morning dove
splits my skull

arid desert sands
old leather cracking in the
unforgiving sun
–
rising smoke-
a candle’s
last remnants