Time – Page 61 – Iron Haiku

Motherhood

that look in your eyes-
it’s an hour before dawn and
we need to leave now
–
exhausted-
more beautiful
than ever

I crawl into bed
too tired to fall asleep
reliving the day
–
a warm breeze-
awake in my bed
paralyzed

nose against the glass
looking through my reflection
at life passing by
–
still water-
echos of
narcissus

pale whispers of men
pass by along the river
rowing in silence
–
walking stick in hand-
my footprints
fading

waking every day
under a threadbare blanket
to an empty bed
–
bleary eyed-
the crows outside
contemplate murder

ringing in the night –
hearing the sound of your voice
I fall to my knees
–
silent crickets-
two marines stand
in my doorway

softly spoken words
meant for only you to hear-
whispers by your neck
–
our wedding duvet-
my open heart by
your sleeping ear

sharing in your pain-
my heart and soul wrapped around
your weary shoulders
–
staring at the floor-
the world rolls past
my window

whispering my name-
the last word upon your lips
before you leave me
–
peeling paint-
the swinging gate
at my back

an early robin-
lichen covered granite steps
cut into the hill
–
holly berries-
amid the ivy
a cardinal