Smoke – Page 14 – Iron Haiku

Bigotry

the thinnest veneer
of our civilization
so easily torn
–
scissors-
crisp, fresh
white sheets

milky shafts of light
shine on the dust motes hanging
in the evening air
–
slow curls of smoke
faintly glowing
embers

toiling at the fire
sweat rolls off the smithy’s face
and turns into steam
–
wide oak boughs
shadows
cross the forge

what makes one man think
he can be judge, jury, and
executioner
–
monsters
in the closet
only a mirror

I shed my skin and
hang another skeleton
deep in my closet
–
alone
with my fetid
alter ego

I’m never alone
my ally, my enemy
you’re always with me
–
ever present
that little voice
of self doubt

bandaged wedding vows
broken trust slowly healing
despite all the pain
–
loss…
mostly
regained

a feather’s tip nicks
the torn paper’s ragged edge
bleeding bright black ink
–
an obligation
the contract
signed in blood

a dying ember
brightened by love’s final breath
at last extinguished
–
autumn
the last robin
falls silent

deeply search your soul
and when the darkness calls you
choose not to answer
–
evil
waits for an
eager listener