July 2017 – Iron Haiku

candle lit windows
on the way to Rodanthe
fending off the night
–
the fire’s glow-
darkness
at my back

dark clouds veil the sun-
abandoned by my shadow
alone once again
–
brooding skies-
the scowl of
thunderclouds

changing directions
deciding my journey starts
were the pavement ends
–
a cold wind-
stepping out
onto thin ice

alone with my thoughts
in the distance barren trees
fade into the mist
–
before sunrise-
my mug of tea
gently steaming

standing by the sink
staring at my soapy hands
my momentum gone
–
blinders on-
running headlong
towards a dead end

intently watching
as the castle in the sky
slowly drifts apart
–
drifting snow-
together leading
separate lives

I break a bit more
every time I remember
you’re not coming home
–
overcast skies-
again the postman
skips my house

a saddle blanket-
the only thing found between
my jeans and my horse
–
horseshoes-
the coal forge
cherry red

a mournful windsong
whispering past long dead oaks-
the forest’s lament
–
graveside rain-
one last leaf
taken by the wind

coupling freight cars-
clouds of smoke darken the air
throughout the rail yard
–
startled crows-
smoke and coal ash
fill the sky