July 2016 – Iron Haiku

brief is our passage
across the river of time
into the unknown
–
oak saplings
from acorns
never unearthed

dealing with the grief
of saying goodbye to you
for the final time
–
rest
at last
in peace

fine handmade Washi
creased and folded into art
by talented hands
–
watching the birth
of an origami
lobster

thrust from a cliff side
tangled and sinuous roots
seeking some purchase
–
life
defiantly
persevering

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

coruscating veils
of yellow, purple, and green
midnight in Norway
–
pebbled skin
perfectly
camouflaged

encouraging words
left in the chinks in my walls
for my future self
–
in a sky blue egg
cracks begin
to appear

these poorly built walls
of isolationism
so easily breached
–
a spreading oak
the cat awaits
her safe descent

a clandestine tryst
made all the more exciting
by the recklessness
–
high desert sun
entwined eagles
fall to the earth

a misty red haze
growing stronger feeding on
hate, fear, and anger
–
cold rain
wolves circle
a wounded deer