Afternoon – Iron Haiku

approaching daybreak-
the sea air rimed with salt and
the taste of seaweed
–
sand and foam-
the gull’s cry
lingers

a long delayed train-
remnants of morning rain
steaming in the sun
–
the sun long set-
a silent queue
of glowing screens

slowly clearing skies-
the stillness of rain water
in a fallen leaf
–
soft wet earth-
a new stream born
of autumn rain

shining white marble-
the mourning dove comes to rest
on a lion’s mane
–
time worn steps-
halfway between patience
and fortitude

a neglected path-
moss hides a forgotten shrine
the small gods long gone
–
meditation-
clay teapots
dry in the sun

metal folding chairs-
coffee cans half full of ash
on the fire escape
–
urban jungle-
pole beans climb
my barred windows

lost in the mirror-
years collecting on the floor
‘neath the barber’s chair
–
wading-
knee deep
in the past

linens on the line-
warm peals of children’s laughter
waft in on the breeze
–
wicker baskets-
a coffee can of
broken clothespins

highway median-
long neglected grasses sway
with the passing cars
–
towering light pole-
a red tailed hawk
spots it’s prey

whitewashed beach shanties-
a path of crushed coral ends
at the ebbing tide
–
salt air-
a gull’s cry
above the surf