Cold – Page 32 – Iron Haiku

Snow

after the thunder
the sun dances in the snow
through the parting clouds
–
winter morning-
a snowy egret
dips her bill

at once of two worlds-
straddling the razor’s edge
between life and death
–
winter sun-
the hawk’s shadow
grows smaller

alone in the dark
the hunter chases his prey
deep into the night
–
cold moonlight-
he claims his place
among the stars

I wake to nothing
but the impression of you
left in my mattress
–
cold sweat-
twisted in
my bedsheets

on the village green
the hollow toll of church bells
ringing out the dead
–
frozen earth-
grave diggers toil
into the night

white breath and mittens-
on the pond shaved ice gathers
the sounds of laughter
–
heavy blankets-
the sound
of falling snow

deep under water
looking back at the surface
as I sink farther
–
valentines day-
ice cracks
beneath my feet

in my father’s chair
still unprepared to carry
this heavy burden
–
fallen acorns-
my little feet
in your shoes

my bed, no respite
dark lonely hours renege on
the promise of sleep
–
flannel sheets-
the rhythm
of your breath

written in anger
signed in blood and gently sealed
with the kiss of death
–
impending storm-
newspapers aloft
in the morning wind