November 2016 – Iron Haiku

dark, ominous skies
grey terns perched on a buoy
turned to face the wind
–
roiling water
gulls soar effortlessly
above the rocky shoals

bone tired, weary
driven forward all the while
dragging this baggage
–
shimmering heat
an old prospector
pulls at his burro

lingering on a
sea of empty promises
wet with resentment
–
dripping-
an eagle’s
empty talons

the last vestige
of the sinking evening sun
sets the sky alight
–
painted hillsides
a winding road turns
though burning leaves

ice over fresh snow
the delicate crust holds me
momentarily
–
warm green grass
a raindrop rolls
down my cheek

a flash of silver
bright water patters and breaks
the woodland silence
–
finally unfettered
carried aloft
on golden wings

as the tide comes in
the quiet surf erases
our mingled footprints
–
salt breezes
clammers digging
in the wet sand

a hot summer morn
in the curl of a turned leaf
the gathering dew
–
a ringing anvil
collecting
beads of sweat

flooded rice paddies
on the roadside sheaves of straw
drying in the sun
–
high spring sun
nimble fingers
sowing wheat

an icy black rain
the autumn harvest freezes
while still in the field
–
a desert night
cold hard water
feeds the fire