Fall – Page 22 – Iron Haiku

Transformation

seeking inner peace
yearning to quench the darkness
that burns in my soul
–
wildfires-
a cold late
autumn rain

a thin skin of ice
on the koi pond slowly melts
in the morning sun
–
floating leaves-
autumn carp swim
in lazy circles

shutting out the crowd
absolutely enthralled by
the shape of your words
–
rising moon-
night rolls over
the winter hills

the sharp metal screech
of the trolley’s brakes snaps me
from my reverie
–
silver moonlight-
a screech owl perched
outside my window

putting down the phone
the harsh meaning of your words
doesn’t register
–
distant rain-
unexpected
lightning

waiting on my touch
your warm skin rising up in
anticipation
–
rose petals-
the taste of
your breath

embers burning low-
on the rim of my wine glass
crimson lipstick stains
–
lingering-
ruby lips and
a good bordeaux

southward flying geese
their long journey just begun
as mine is ending
–
warm boots-
my old dog’s
snowy muzzle

by her bedroom door
listening to my daughter
cry herself to sleep
–
leafless boughs-
no resistance to
the howling winds

echoing silence-
bodies strewn haphazardly
on the downtown streets
–
an absence of birds-
villagers gather fish
in the receding sea