Distance – Iron Haiku

lingering aimless-
attempting to cross in vain
the border of death
–
almost free-
weightless and yet
still tied to the earth

a long delayed train-
remnants of morning rain
steaming in the sun
–
the sun long set-
a silent queue
of glowing screens

partly melted snow-
embers from the campfire rise
toward the gibbous moon
–
a distant glow-
wood smoke and laughter
carried on the wind

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

dark ominous skies-
the grey wolf moon veiled behind
a thin scrim of clouds
–
winter jetty-
snow falls on
the rising tide

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

weary of donning
this mask, this gown, these gloves, I
once more go to work
–
hospital corridors-
the white noise
of dying

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

brought forth from the ice-
my tarnished battle armor
deeply scarred from use
–
far from the cherry blossoms-
the clarion call
of battle

seventh floor walk up-
down in the street feral cats
howl in the moonlight
–
stuck to my sheets-
the only breeze
from a passing train