Beneath – Page 56 – Iron Haiku

Blank

staring deep into
an empty sheet of paper
conjuring the muse
–
winter’s canvas-
a palette of pine
and fresh snow

by the temple gates
burning incense left as a
simple offering
–
hot springs-
steam rising from
the snow monkeys

bitter grievances
at the holiday table
long past time for peace
–
unrelenting
a winter river
choked with ice

waiting for the thaw
beneath fallen leaves and snow
a box turtle sleeps
–
frosted windows-
deeply burrowed
under blankets

a torn cap worn low
collar turned against the wind
shrouded in darkness
–
a squalid doorway-
scant shelter from
the bitter cold

stolen innocence-
inured to constant violence
and lost empathy
–
distant wildfires
a false sunset in
the eastern sky

air laced with woodsmoke
thick with a rich silence as
the rain turns to snow
–
twilight
listening to
the snow fall

the low midday sun
shadows of geese noiselessly
passing overhead
–
dancing water
a clingy black shift
of morning ice

budding at long last
relationships long buried
exposed to the light
–
tawney pine straw
a squirrel caches
his winter stores

pulling on my hand
leading me into darkness
blind to your intent
–
autumn’s glory
reflections in
our tiny screens