A dark cloud of apathy
Split the morning
Perfectly in half
Left to linger
The damage left behind
Will be impossible to mend-
Strange, love exists
On both sides
Of the darkness
I must believe it does-
Rays of hope
Able to burnish holes
Through the shadows
Of indifference
Affording hope even
In the murkiest of storms-
Light joining hands
Across the darkness
On a recent morning drive, I noticed an unusual sunrise. From my vantage point, a large dark cloud divided the sun’s fiery red glow in half. The clarity of the division was daunting. Yet despite the chasm, beauty existed in each half.
“Darkness cannot drive out darkness, only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.” Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Tag: clouds
Fade to Blur
A beautiful blue design
On a soft white backdrop
Graced the morning sky-
Like a cherished dish
Whose intricate pattern has
Grown dull over time
From years spent
Holding tasty treats
Before being gently washed
Then carefully put away-
Though the design has faded to blur
The memories held
Remain clear and strong-
It may seem impossible
After so much time has passed
But certain recollections
Plant themselves deeply-
Like visiting Grandma
For a cup of coffee and a piece
Of her chocolate cake
Baked with a secret ingredient
What was that secret ingredient?
Well, that’s my memory
I Don’t Know Why
Yesterday, the clouds
Made me cry-
At least, I think it was the clouds
They do easily lend
Themselves to tears -
I wonder why?
Is it the blues, whites, and grays
Layered like slatted blinds
Covering a picture window
Showing only tiny panes
Of the beauty resting
On the other side of the glass?
Or perhaps the power
Felt from a small patch
Of shade that cools
In the heat of the day?
I don't know why
But I think
It was the clouds
That made me cry
Yesterday
Alike and Different
Often described
Using words such as
Fluffy, whispy, thin
Their colors varying
From white to gray or blue
Even pink or red
Depending on the position of the sun-
Constantly shifting
Changing direction and shape
As they gently float past each other
That is until light disappears
Pressing them together
In the darkness
No longer able to hold their fear, anger, confusion
And it pours out in a furious storm-
Unlike us, they have no choice
In the length of their encounters
Or the strength of their stormy release
Like us, they have power
To spark imagination
And provide a moment
Of sweet relief on a
Blazing hot summer day-
They, by offering refreshing shade
Us, by giving a glass of water
And a friendly smile
On Display
Sun rays pierce
Dark clouds
Shining their light
Through the rain–
That is a typical
Description
Wouldn’t you say?
But how about this?
Sun rays shining
Over the top
Of a fluffy white cloud
Not through the middle
Somehow
Over the face
As if that cloud was
Made of cotton
Or painted
On a canvas
Hanging in a museum
Underneath the light
Of a brilliant lamp
Worth Repeating
Their design was clear
Visual perspective
Undeniable
High to low
Largest to smallest
Right in front of me
Moving in the same direction-
Of course, their presence was
Fleeting, as we were
Traveling at different speeds-
Me, driving down a
Straight-shot highway
Speed controlled by my foot
On the gas pedal
The clouds, stair-stepping
Their way from the heavens
Down toward the Earth
Speed controlled by the wind
Their design was clear
Visual perspective
Undeniable
The Peace of Rain
When clouds appear soft
Their colors muted
Blending one with another
Covering the sky
With a grace-filled blanket
Evenly sharing their weight
Allowing for a healing release
Of raindrops so gentle
You barely notice them-
We forgot our umbrella
Should we go back?
Let’s follow the raindrops
Into this unexpected reprieve
From the busyness of life
Weather Report
Cloud and Sun struggled
Over their place
In the sky today-
One provided shade
While carrying
Hints of rain
The other interrupted
With light and warmth
There was an ebb and flow
Within their banter
More like siblings
Vying for attention
Instead of a competition-
Of course, they had a
Captive audience-
Newly Bloomed Rose
Reported the following:
There was an encouraging air
Of cooperation overhead today

Simply Sunday
Dear Mom
I love that
You send me
Pictures of clouds
Telling me how
Pretty they are
On a particular day
Where you are
I love that you
Take time to notice
Assuring me it is ok
For me to pause
And take notice
Of the clouds
Assuring me it is not
Time wasted
But rather a time
For deep breaths
That leaves behind a
Happy, thankful heart


Forty-Five Degrees
A morning cloud bank
Rose from the horizon
At such an angle
About forty-five degrees
In my estimation
Shades of blue grew
Incrementally brighter
With the expanding
Length of the rays
Fluffy white clouds
Still floating above-
A bit confused
I tilted my head
First to the right
Then the left
Wondering
If perhaps the Earth
Was off-kilter
Or if maybe it was me?
Traveling closer
The angle became
Less pronounced
And a sense of balance
Gently returned
While the feeling of awe
Continued to multiply
