Sky – Page 39 – Iron Haiku

a large gray crane stands
fishing the shallow waters
down among the reeds
–
wingbeats-
spending ripples where
once was a fish

on a raven lake
the moon lies sleeping under
a blanket of stars
–
soft lapping-
the moon unwound
beside me

lazy curls of steam
glowing in the rays of the
slanting winter sun
–
the north wind-
warming my hands
on a hot cup of tea

on a gilded throne
far from the unwashed masses
counting his money
–
gauzy clouds-
spreading gold
on the ocean

cold drops of silver
spill into the open mouth
of the crescent moon
–
starlight-
a barn owl glides
through leafless trees

becoming August
fevered skin, heat lightning, and
the promise of rain
–
an azure pond-
fish break the surface
amid the evening rain

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

falling off my bike
I become one with the earth
for just a moment
–
june twilight-
our vows float away
on paper lanterns

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

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