Above – Page 26 – Iron Haiku

Bed

the small of your back
illuminated softly
by a slice of moon
–
waterfall-
hair cascading
across my pillow

gathering pollen-
down among the lavender
the honeybees work
–
august sun-
on the pond
the lotus blooms

catenary wires-
sparks fly overhead as trains
roll along below
–
rolling fog-
the warning whistle
of an approaching train

the stones in my path
used to build a foundation
keeping me grounded
–
peace-
rain runs off
the temple roof

to ease your burden
I’ll stand by your side a while
and shoulder your load
–
distant clouds-
fences in need
of mending

high flying embers
remnants of a prior life
slowly turn to ash
–
distant thunder-
lightning strikes
a joshua tree

as my eyesight fades
I think I finally see
my destination
–
a grey heron-
motionless in the
standing water

staring at the floor
scuffed and worn beneath my seat
from those in my shoes
–
dawn breaks-
outside the
waiting room

families asunder-
buzzards circling high above
the southwest desert
–
riding the smoke-
wild horses
in the distance

lying in my bed
beautiful and poisonous
twisted in the sheets
–
african sun-
death lurks
in the tall grass