August 2019 – Iron Haiku

sitting at the bar-
beautiful and dangerous
death in a red dress
–
mangrove trees-
crocodiles
come and go

crimson rose petals
clinging to a withered stem
slowly turning brown
–
tea rose petals –
the crystal bowl
overflowing

an overgrown lawn-
ravens nest in the eaves of
what was once a home
–
rotting lumber-
vines climb
though the floor

my blood in the sink-
I should be panicking but
I can’t feel the pain
–
tendrils of fog-
undisturbed by the hooves
of a pale horse

among the rushes
herons stand in the salt marsh
waiting for the tide
–
auburn sunrise-
dawn breezes stir
fields of cattails

searching for reasons
why I blame everyone else
for my own failings
–
brooding skies-
trees reflected
in iron water

a forest of ghosts-
cadavers stand sentinel
bleaching in the sun
–
echoes –
sunlight on
the forest floor

shredded paper towels
last night’s garbage strewn about-
I know you’re to blame
–
morning sun –
in the doorway
indecisive

unexpected rain-
a brief but welcome respite
from the summer heat
–
clearing skies-
the gift of
a rainbow

on the veranda-
fog slowly climbs the steps on
this soft starless night
–
walking the moon-
a thin fog blankets
fallen gravestones