Haiku
He broke Pepper's heart
Every day for years and years
That's just how it was
ooo
Karma bites hard though
And Tony feels her canines
Nipping even now
ooo
Nothing hurts him like
Pepper's little chin quiver
And bright unshed tears
ooo
In Afghanistan
He dreamt of her; bright and soft
Sunshine in his mind
ooo
Seeing her again
Chased away the chill of caves
And cold, still Yinsen
ooo
Then sunshine in blue
A pale goddess in azure
Tony falls, right then
ooo
Half of his anger
Is realizing what he's missed
Right under his nose
ooo
The other half is
Knowing how much work there is
To do to win her
ooo
Pepper can't be bought
Pepper Potts has seen it all
While sending it home
ooo
She is a willow
Flexible but strong inside
With overlooked grace
ooo
Now when he sees her
The shame that he never had
Rises between them
ooo
The caves and the arc
Have given Stark inner steel
And an virgin heart
ooo
To woo this woman
Tony resorts to courtship
Instead of conquest
ooo
Flowers, candy, wine
And trickiest of all things
Home-made poetry
ooo
Tony sucks at it
Politely Jarvis concurs
But offers help too
ooo
Tony is pissed off
But too smart to reject help
Humility's hard
ooo
"Using you, not I,
Will appeal to Miss Potts more—
Make it about her."
ooo
"But I feel all this-
How will she know what I mean
Unless I use I?"
ooo
"Only you sir, would."
Jarvis informs him; Tony sighs
"You're right, it sucks. Damn."
ooo
"It's not like you sir
To quit—is there something wrong?"
Jarvis inquires.
ooo
Then Tony looks up
His small smile bleak and twisted.
"Can't do it, Jarvis."
ooo
"Engineering, yes.
Math, science, seductions, yes.
But poetry, no."
ooo
"I beg to differ
Challenges are your forte;
Miss Potts is worth it."
ooo
"But I suck at rhymes.
My sonnets are pretentious
And my limericks—no."
ooo
"You must go smaller
Sir; the haiku might work well
To express your heart."
ooo
He studies the form
Learns kigo and kireji
Brevity's beauty
ooo
Tony takes the time
To read Basho and Kojo
Of frogs and full moons
ooo
The microfocus
Of raindrops and temple bells
Tiny captured joy
ooo
Magnificent art
A thumbnail of the moment
Perfect for Pepper
ooo
He begins to write
Little scribbles on scraps
Snowflakes of verses
ooo
Matchbooks and receipts
Hold the first of his attempts
His handwriting cramped
ooo
The curve of your smile
Secret and so sensual
Uplifts my soul, Pep
ooo
He considers this
Thinks of Pepper in moonlight
Breathless and lovely
ooo
Your kiss will save me
And stay on my mouth always
Brighter than my arc
ooo
Tony frowns; not 'arc'
Then replaces it with 'soul'
And re-reads the line
ooo
'brighter than my soul'
Is romantic but not right—
Her kiss is much more
ooo
Tony sighs; it's work
This poetry stuff and yet
He finds it worthwhile
ooo
The brush of your hand
Along the back of my neck
Makes me your puppy
ooo
That will make her laugh
Tony smiles at that image
Pleased at the idea
ooo
Waterfall of fire
Your undone hair is all that
I am drawn to flame
ooo
Cinnamon freckles
Scattered on your skin like stars
Each deserves a kiss
ooo
When you are angry
I tremble with fear and lust
In awe of your grace
ooo
That one is good, yes
Tony remembers her rage
And how it moves him
ooo
Long, pale slender hands
I dream of their touch on me
Wandering my skin
ooo
It comes easier now
This quiet intensity
Pepper in focus
ooo
Scent of vanilla
Faint as a whisper, ghost sweet
Coming home to you
ooo
Wish I had a heart
To give you, and not this arc
Standing in the way
ooo
Second shot at life
I won't waste this one, Pepper
I love you so much
ooo
Tony stares at it
Not a haiku; a promise
He can't wait to keep
ooo
Smiling, he writes it
With the others on a page
Neat as he can print
ooo ooo ooo
Pepper picks it up
This page under her omelet
Confused, she reads it
ooo
This waiting kills him
Watching her read his haiku
Hoping she won't laugh
ooo
Tony looks at her
Pepper draws in a quick breath
Eyes like summer skies
ooo
She folds the paper
And tucks it into her blouse
To rest on her heart
ooo
Plates are pushed away
Pepper's lips are on his ear
Hot tickly breath
ooo
"You are amazing,"
She breathes and turns to kiss him.
Love, home, perfect
ooo
Later in the dark
Tony picks up a soft brush
Her bare spine his scroll
end
