Art – Iron Haiku

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

the senbazuru-
origami alchemy
brings my cranes to life
–
parchment skin –
rice paper slowly
creased and folded

the canvas of dusk-
low amber clouds dry brushed on
an indigo sky
–
afternoon clouds-
dappled hillsides
painted by the sun

stoic in the sun-
sand awaiting ruin from
the approaching tide
–
tenuous footprints-
a shimmering surf
over amber sands

leaves blow through the barn-
the sweet smell of feed dust hangs
heavy in the air
–
ringing steel-
horseshoes red in
the farrier’s forge

an old masters hand-
long unused sable brushes
come back to life
–
hazy morning-
blobs of white
dot the hillside

black ink on paper-
oblivious passengers
riding the subway
–
a soft gong-
the model changes
position again

an old shaking hand-
steady as it dips a brush
into the inkwell
–
autumn’s essence-
poems painted
on rice paper

a dandelion seed
lazily drifts through the sky
as I watch the clouds
–
freshly cut grass-
making sculptures
from the clouds

shavings of maple
remnants of a craftsman’s work
spread across the floor
–
a willow tree
the old man carves
in the shade