Smoke – Page 6 – Iron Haiku

clouds out ash and dust-
the soil of this arid land
affords no purchase
–
orange skies-
rivers of black glass
plunge into the sea

in the line of fire
standing while the others fall
I am bulletproof
–
rising smoke-
the doe startled
bounds away

a cool cloudy night-
the horizon aglow with
fingers of lighting
–
dry lightning-
fire licks the walks
of the arroyo

as the sun rises
I try once more to forget
the sins of my past
–
spring evening-
frogs still
as I walk past

unspeakable acts-
unlearned lessons of the past
repeating again
–
cattle cars-
disappear within
the gates of hell

under crushing debt
the future turns to ashes
swept by our children
–
wild fire-
fed by embers
on the wind

locked in my safe room
the world burning down outside-
is it hot in here?
–
crimson sky-
ashes drifting
on hot winds

hot rising embers
intermingle with the stars
as they float away
–
cracking fire-
oak and maple
turning to ash

my bed, no respite
dark lonely hours renege on
the promise of sleep
–
flannel sheets-
the rhythm
of your breath

a toad on his throne
surrounded by those mirrors
that show him a prince
–
rain streaked windows-
the world outside
distorted