I Am Cloud.
I am Cloud, the powerful offspring
of water and earth.
Like a blanket I hang under Sun\'s heat, binding his fire
away from dry debris with my cold fleece.
I Cloud am skilled at basking below heaven\'s dome-blue
to nurse weather\'s ills and
carrying blasts of wind I scan the air for anything
daring to trespass on my line of duty.
I reside in the restive arms of snowy
vapours and sometimes wrap hurricanes under my toes.
I am Cloud who hides bolts of lightning
between huge thighs,
who controls every rain-shower and who can send hail\'s
deluge on whatever offends my pride.
Yet I often allow maiden Moon to peep into my bedroom
or break through my roof.
I have to smile too when night-stars play hide and seek
round the edge of my white flimsy frock
and glitter like dots of diamond beauties when they
find a hole or two in my overcoat pocket.
Sunsets and rainbows induce me to stretch horizontally,
broadening myself in their colourful hues
and if in a good mood after rest, come the morning my
yawn drenches all below me in dew.
Yet I, Cloud can ride in a moment like fury over miles
of ocean or mountain to strike
with ice-darts for I am that changeling who cannot die.
I am Cloud who appears out of nowhere with mission
of alchemy\'s transformation.
I can rise like a ghost to gloom clear ether
and like a babe from the womb I may, in but a second
let out my genii who with forked lightning bites
rude denials of my right to appear.
I, Cloud favour no family picnic or sandy-dune holiday
and increase ammunition if me you displease.
So beware as I glide past how and to whom you laugh
when you try foolish games to blow me away
as if you were my master.