Beneath – Iron Haiku

february hush-
dawn reveals willows dressed in
january snow
–
sunrise-
crusted snow
underfoot

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

a willow’s caress-
snow laden branches reach down
to stroke the water
–
frozen stones-
roiling water
skinned in ice

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

cocooned in afghans-
bright remnants of creation
streak across the sky
–
deep desert night-
the great arc of stars
lights the horizon

herons in the reeds-
crabs hide under stones after
the overnight rain
–
river rocks-
barbel catfish lurk
in the shadows

engulfed in blue flames-
as my life turns to ashes
I step out reborn
–
down among the ashes-
the rain arrives
far too late

pinpoints of silver-
constellations embroidered
on a velvet sky
–
woolen blankets-
meteor spotting
on a winter night

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

the soft light of dawn-
dim street lamps gutter above
aging cobblestones
–
threads of smoke-
last nights embers
turn to ash