Family – Page 22 – Iron Haiku

Lithos

along the roadside-
once a stately facade, now
a pile of old stones
–
gentle rain-
crows perch upon
a weathered grave

take my outstretched hand
and let us walk together
across this threshold
–
distant mountain peaks-
over the dewey grass
the rising sun

you’re my cinnamon
my sugar, salt, my pepper
the spice in my life
–
open windows-
a cool breeze
tousles your hair

my head on your thigh
searching for divinity
in a sunflower
–
crimson booms
stain the pallid
melting snow

look into my eyes
and you can see your beauty
just the way I do
–
soaring gulls-
the ocean leans in
to kiss the sky

staring at myself
the mirror reflecting my
wasted innocence
–
shoeless-
a ragged doll
on dusty road

every nerve exposed-
in the comfort of her mind
she shuts out the world
–
long afternoon shadows-
an old rocking horse
threadbare and faded

whole conversations
pass with just a knowing glance
incomplete silence
–
a heartbeat-
one moment
our lifetime

the final door closed
all the words you wouldn’t hear
and now never will
–
sudden frost-
orange blossoms
wither and brown

shortening my stride
slowing behind old lovers
walking hand in hand
–
icy harbor-
the crush of a
rising and falling tide