Overcast sky
On this day of rest
Not dull
Not dreary
Sunshine
Is present
Hiding
Behind clouds
Bright patches
Lighting our paths
Shady spots
Providing reprieve
Overcast sky
On this day of rest
Needed
Welcomed
Simply Sunday
Tag: clouds
Curiosity
A little childlike fun today with these two poems. 🌺 ðŸ’
Hello, Flowers
Tiny flowers grow
Under the window
Just outside
Reaching with
All their might
Hoping to be seen
Tiny feet stand
Under the window
Just inside
Reaching on tiptoes
Wondering what is
On the other side
A little help, please
Tiny feet walk
Out the door
Holding a hand
Toes touch the grass
Eyes spot the flowers
Under the window
Hello, flowers
Under my window
The flowers smile
Hello little one
We were hoping
You would visit
The Friendly Cloud
A cloud phoned
The other day
Taking a break
From all its
Floating around
Needing to rest
It grew still
And quiet
Like a giant
Cotton ball
Sitting in
The blue sky-
Thought I’d check-in
See if you needed anything
Said the cloud
Well, I said
Today has been hot
With little wind
I’m quite enjoying
Your cool shade-
Glad to help
Said the cloud
Maybe next time I call
You will need a little rain-
Maybe so…
Maybe so…
Flower Promises
Breathe in the air
Rising from rolling
Fields of yellow-
Daffodils rising
From the green
Turning their faces
Toward the sky
Searching for
Missing sunshine-
Breathe in the air
Held in the buds
Of ancient trees
Elders standing
Guard over blooms
Their bare branches
A reminder of
Strength even in
This current season-
Breathe in the air
Falling from clouds
Busy gathering rain
Slated for gently
Watering the rows
Of bright yellow
Later in the day
A promise for
Buds not yet open-
Rise and search
Turn your face
Toward the sky
Feel the rain
While waiting
For the sunshine
Fragile and strong
Like the flowers
Breathing in the air
Old Friends
The rain stopped
Some drops lingered
In the rich soil
Beneath the tree-
Resting after the
Long journey
On the tip
Of a pine needle,
One drop called out
Or perhaps, up
To its dear friend,
Sunshine
It’s your turn!
I’m waiting!
Send your rays
My way-So that
We may have
A moment of fun
Can’t you see?
We belong together
Simply shine your
Light on me
And watch the branch
Begin to glisten
The sun obliged
Sending its rays
To pierce the clouds
And touch the Raindrop
The two old friends
Danced and played
While the branch
Glistened and smiled
Soon, each went their way
But neither said goodbye
Knowing they would
Meet again another day
Layers
I love the combination of a blue sky layered with clouds. Saturday was one of those days.
My husband and I took a short drive to a nearby peach orchard and store. Fresh peaches (and peach ice cream from the store) sounded like a perfect treat on a hot summer day. Yet, on the short thirty-minute drive, the sky had my full attention.
I noticed clouds moving in front of and behind one another. One cloud providing shade for the earth, but also for other clouds. Casting shadows in surprising places.
Of course, the sun plays a role in this phenomenon. It may be hidden from direct view, but its presence is undeniable. Somehow, its rays cause some clouds to glow. Allowing the creation of shadows.
Another key player-the wind. Its speed and direction cause the clouds to move-usually incrementally to our eyes. But if we intentionally watch, we can see the shifts.
Maybe more powerful, we can feel the shifts. A drastic change in heat felt as they pass over us. The relief, welcomed, even if temporary.
Now picture those clouds as people. Some gleaming, others providing shelter, and others being tossed about. Yet, all still human beings. All moving. Weaving in and out of life’s storms.
Some days I’m the one in need of shelter. And once I have gracefully accepted that provision of love, then I’m able to offer that same love. And so it goes-infinite circles of need, acceptance, compassion, love. As we help each other navigate this crazy world through beautiful layers.
Sunshine or Rain
Left in the rain Returned in sun The dark turned to light The night turned to day What if it happened the other way Left in the sun Returned in rain The day turned to dark The light turned to night Somehow, that doesn’t feel quite right Words are the same Order is different Is that what caused the Change in mood Or could it be my chosen view Each of us sees Thru a personal frame Sometimes clouded By our very own names Yet, time will show As day turns to night Or dark turns to light One truth remains In sunshine or rain Each one is needed just the same
I hear clouds and rain with a little sprinkle of sunshine. 😉
All Things Sunshine
Wishful Thinking-A Triolet
To feel the sunshine on my face
As it peeks from behind a cloud
Providing warmth, no need to chase
To feel the sunshine on my face
Although today it shows no trace
Wishful thinking, I am allowed
To feel the sunshine on my face
As it peeks from behind a cloud
The above poem is a reflection of recent cloudy days, but today the sun is shining! Except for some thin, wispy clouds near the horizon, the sky is so blue. I really needed this today, to both see and feel the sunshine on my face. A welcome relief.
The dreariness of the past few days had me focused on the sunshine or lack thereof. One morning not long ago I woke up with these words playing through my mind.
There is sunshine in my soul today
More glorious and bright
Than glows in any earthly sky
For Jesus is my light
I have not heard this hymn in years. It was a standard in the small church I attended as a child. So, what made me think of it now? Possibly all the complaining I’d been doing concerning the absence of sunshine…
Or maybe I needed to be reminded of God’s love. Always present, ready to provide light and warmth for my soul if I’m willing to accept.
Today the warmth from the sun is not just wishful thinking. For that I am thankful. I am also grateful for songs, old and new, which remind us of all things sunshine, both physical and spiritual.
Here’s one more of my sunshine favorites. Give it a listen. 🙂 https://youtu.be/Fb5ZyPH41vE
Pictures in the Clouds
This week I rediscovered the children’s book “It Looked Like Spilt Milk” by Charles G. Shaw. I love this book! If you’ve never read it, go look it up. The author creatively takes his readers through a series of images in white on a dark blue background. Childlike pictures are paired with simple, repetitive words, creating a beautiful backdrop for the imagination.
After reading this story to my students, I asked if they’d ever noticed pictures in the clouds. Most excitedly raised their hands, eager to share. We discussed the importance of using our imaginations, and I shared about finding pictures in the clouds when I was a kid.  Funny how that has become more difficult to do as an adult.
Creatively using our imaginations as a grownup often requires more intention than when we were kids. Our adult minds are on information overload, concerned with family and job responsibilities. Being imaginative gets put on the back burner, seen as a luxury instead of a necessity. I wonder what would happen if that changed? At the least, our stress levels would go down.
At the end of class I challenged my students to notice the clouds next time they go outside and report back to me what they see. Hopefully some of them remember. Truthfully, I’m the one who needs to be challenged. Maybe my students responses will inspire me to take the time to go outside and look up.
The pictures in the clouds are always there, just waiting for us to imagine them. What do you see?
Layers
Clouds are fascinating. Since I was a little girl, they always captured my attention. Maybe it’s the sky in general. After all, blue is my favorite color, especially when in contrast with white, fluffy clouds. When I was younger, a variety of images would easily appear in the clouds. Now finding the pictures is more of a challenge to my imagination. Oh, I still look, but there is a certain amount of effort required.
These days I tend to notice the many different types and combinations of clouds. I love how they paint the sky in layers, with contrasting colors and motion, sometimes allowing small patches of blue to appear in the background. These paintings don’t last long, morphing with the blowing wind. Photos rarely capture their true beauty. Paintings may come close, but part of the beauty is in the movement, the gradual changes.
In many ways, life can be like those layers of clouds. Sometimes it’s the grey, swirly ones that get our attention. How will we face the coming storm? Those sheets of rain off in the distance? Then we see the still, almost motionless layers underneath providing calm. The storm is not erased, but the ability to get through becomes visible. If we continue watching, witnessing the continuous changes, that patch of blue or ray of sunlight will soon appear.
Hopefully we also experience those fluffy cloud days, light and ordinary. Nothing unexpected, time to rest in moments of shade. Or the wispy, almost laughing clouds, reminding us of a funny story or memory. That kind of memory that makes us smile. Those are the days that revive us, giving strength for when the storm clouds reappear. We know they will return, that is life.
Although I may never be able to capture the beauty of those clouds blanketing the sky, I will keep looking. Watching for those moments of light and color to break through. Reminded that life continues, moving with the swirls, through the storms, to the calm.
Layers upon layers upon layers…Â
Clouds
Condensed drops of water
Floating high in the sky
Easily spotted from the ground
Yet more than meets the eye
Shade for a weary traveler
Relief for the dry, parched earth
Inspiration for an artist’s canvas
Imagery for the poet’s verse
Aesthetic or empirical
Which description would you choose?
Go outside and look up!
What have you got to lose?
Piano Girl 