Shadow – Page 31 – Iron Haiku

down by the lakeside
a skein of migrating geese
glide in for a rest
–
hot pavement-
the roar of flight
fills my ears

awake at first light
realizing far too late
I’m not who I thought
–
venus rising-
difficult memories
consigned to the fire

a new day dawning
stale vestiges of the past
left by the roadside
–
first light-
the morning star
through hollow trees

splintering sunlight
broad winter shadows reaching
out across the lea
–
fresh snow-
a smattering
of paw prints

lies in the mirror
not what we truly are but
what we wish to be
–
leafless-
reflections in
the watery sky

pulled taut and snapping
the pole holding fast the flag
standing at half mast
–
icy rain
her cheeks
freshly wet

a torn cap worn low
collar turned against the wind
shrouded in darkness
–
a squalid doorway-
scant shelter from
the bitter cold

I’ve changed all my locks
somehow your keys still fit in
and still turn me on
–
cold winds blow
your call comes through
in the dead of night

stolen innocence-
inured to constant violence
and lost empathy
–
distant wildfires
a false sunset in
the eastern sky

the low midday sun
shadows of geese noiselessly
passing overhead
–
dancing water
a clingy black shift
of morning ice