Faith – Iron Haiku

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

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

alone at the bar-
a campari and soda
by a full ashtray
–
neon lights-
my reflection in
an empty glass

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

honeysuckle wine-
content letting the front porch
host my slow decline
–
passing cars-
an afghan shrouds
her empty rocker

black america
locked inside the golden door
yearning to breathe free
–
hot city streets-
new seedlings break
through the concrete

life gets in the way-
in my haste I neglected
to say I love you
–
shifting skies-
one simple
phone call

social distancing-
tulip blossoms pay no heed
to the fall of man
–
robin’s song-
mankind’s
lament

much more so than life
death will be my defining
characteristic
–
a cold rain
the bus arrives
to take me back home