Age – Iron Haiku

lingering aimless-
attempting to cross in vain
the border of death
–
almost free-
weightless and yet
still tied to the earth

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

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

partly melted snow-
embers from the campfire rise
toward the gibbous moon
–
a distant glow-
wood smoke and laughter
carried on the wind

draped in tulle and lace
far below the frozen sea-
immemorial
–
nestled in
the ocean deep-
lost to time

opalescent clouds-
shadows on the moonlit snow
cast by trees long dead
–
dying embers-
in the dark I become
the falling snow

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

weary of donning
this mask, this gown, these gloves, I
once more go to work
–
hospital corridors-
the white noise
of dying

standing by the sink-
I feel the warmth from your feet
on the bathroom floor
–
lost in your dreams-
I silence my alarm
before it wakes you

brought forth from the ice-
my tarnished battle armor
deeply scarred from use
–
far from the cherry blossoms-
the clarion call
of battle