Animal – Page 34 – Iron Haiku

Death

empty eyes soulless-
sliding down the razors edge
between life and death
–
soft rattles-
promises of release
in the tall grass

awake and alone
the contours of your body
still fresh in my sheets
–
a startled thrush-
impressions left
in the tall grass

the great blue heron
gently gliding just above
its own reflection
–
standing water-
a perfect sky
at my feet

split in two at birth-
all these years spent searching for
that which makes me whole
–
wild horses-
where the river
meets the sea

the burning forests-
gaia’s tears turn to embers
borne off by the wind
–
peals of thunder-
rain falling
on a wild fire

with the setting sun
purple ink spreads across the
paper of the night
–
coming darkness-
the ravens gather
on my roof

the day’s work is done
a blanket of fog settles
over bleaching bones
–
curling water-
the soft rattle
of empty shells

wandering the earth
easing pain and suffering
collecting last breaths
–
a copse of trees-
bones
amid the litter

northern white cedars
defying all odds, clinging
to the bare cliff face
–
crying gulls-
hatchling turtles
race to the sea

shellshocked and bleeding-
wandering the husk of a
demolished building
–
floating ash-
Nothing left but
deafening silence