Sound – Page 59 – Iron Haiku

glowing embers blow
through gnarled ashen limbs and
pallid withered leaves
–
a cigarette butt
untold miles of
scorched forest

the rain’s heady scent
rolls in on the thickened air
of the coming storm
–
hummingbirds
weave the air above
a honeysuckle vine

the wetland chorus
a glorious counterpoint
to my daily grind
–
a Hooded Warbler
wakes me with
flights of fancy

swaying water grass
iridescent dragonflies
hover in the breeze
–
gusting wind
ripples in
the lavender

long flowing tresses
cascade down from her shoulders
swirling at her feet
–
running
fast and free
into the future

after the bowl sings
so peacefully sits the monk
in meditation
–
calm water
reflective of
inner peace

a cavernous void
of fears and uncertainty
filling drop by drop
–
darkening forest
a deep growl
in the distance

toiling at the fire
sweat rolls off the smithy’s face
and turns into steam
–
wide oak boughs
shadows
cross the forge

shouting at the void
trying to keep the silence
from smothering me
–
rain falls
on a carpet
of autumn leaves

bobcats and black bear
mark their territory in
the suburban wild
–
predawn-
awakened again
by coyotes