Time – Page 76 – Iron Haiku

the arc of the sky-
uncountable stars over
an ocean of sand
–
a blanket of stars-
hand on the tiller
slave to the wind

jealous of our affections
in full view of everyone
the moon steals the sun
–
midday-
the spotlight
stolen

i look at myself
and listen to my own lies
praying that they’re true
–
reflections-
outside my window
a magpie

your small fragile hand
once grasped so tightly in mine
now a hardened fist
–
clear blue sky-
learning to fly
on the way down

the lust for power
buried in the hearts of men
exhumed far too soon
–
hesitation-
the sharp crack
of thin ice

low afternoon sun-
the play of shadow and light
against your bare skin
–
under the sheets-
between us
the midnight sun

open to the cold
exposed and vulnerable
naked and alone
–
new life-
tempted
by the light

naked in the sun
draped in caribbean light
among the seashells
–
abalone-
the warm glow
of auburn skin

night at terlingua
the glow of the fire beneath
a blanket of stars
–
desert sands-
rising embers
greet the stars

evergreen hillsides
barely clothed in morning mist
slowly disrobing
–
splitting wood-
the morning haze
burns away