Tree – Iron Haiku

february hush-
dawn reveals willows dressed in
january snow
–
sunrise-
crusted snow
underfoot

a willow’s caress-
snow laden branches reach down
to stroke the water
–
frozen stones-
roiling water
skinned in ice

opalescent clouds-
shadows on the moonlit snow
cast by trees long dead
–
dying embers-
in the dark I become
the falling snow

a neglected path-
moss hides a forgotten shrine
the small gods long gone
–
meditation-
clay teapots
dry in the sun

the soft eastern sky-
treetops gilded in copper
frame the rising sun
–
daybreak-
the furnace and I
struggle to wake up

october sunrise-
ivy on the stone facade
silver in the dew
–
grey stone walls-
saplings rooted
in old pastures

leaves soft underfoot-
in the dawning mist great oaks
fade into the sky
–
blackbird-
morning fog
through the trees

the screen door askew-
on the dead oak a tire swing
full of autumn leaves
–
a rusted bike-
through the spokes
foxtails grow

dry and brittle leaves-
remnants of an early fall
captive in the snow
–
crisp white linens-
leaves tumble
in the wind

frigid midnight winds-
the moon smears lampblack shadows
on the virgin snow
–
wolf moon-
winter berries
turn to ash