Today I befriended a cloud;
we sat by the sea and discussed
what lawmakers lack:
the distress you can see
as ash in their eyes.
The cloud told me of seas
it had traveled,
of waves that could swallow
where water is hallowed.
It told me how seaweed
can mingle their hair,
and how rain is the
same as their sorrow.
We fell silent, me and
the cloud I called Miriam.
Then in downpour of rain
far more than a drizzle,
she left me, dissolving
to rainbows and thoughts
that lawmakers lack.
Detail of painting at Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
Today it’s time for Open Link at dVerse, Grace hosts and you can bring any poem you like. Pub opens at 3 PM EST… join us.
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June 23, 2016
Björn Rudbergs writings 
Hmmm contemplative. Reminded me of many things lawmakers lack, but particularly what we discussed earlier.
Here, here! Thank you, Bjorn!
Beautiful! Love: … dissolving into rainbows and thoughts that lawmakers lack.
the distress you can see
as ash in their eyes.
Such a poignant image. Brilliant write, Bjorn 🙂
Like Sanaa, I too was taken by those same lines. Being now a retired part of State government and having to at the beginning of the year deal with lawmakers, I can definitely relate to this. Poor Miriam. If she had to talk to lawmakers and give them information about programs they want to cut funding too, she would probably dissolve in tears.
I love the imagination in this – made me pause for thought.
Your poetry is becoming more and more surreal, Bjorn! I like that, and the way you gave a name to your cloud. Distress as ash in their eyes – beautiful image!
I think this is one of my favorite poems I’ve read of yours. The conversation poignantly what lawmakers (and legalistic people in general) do lack. I love that you named the cloud Miriam, too.
A superb concept here, Bjorn. The idea that vaporous cloud know what lawmakers lack, doesn’t give them much credit, does it? Written with a sweeping grace.
I love the conversation with the clouds, so light hearted yet heavy with meaning. I wish politicians have insights and character too Bjorn but alas most are lacking in a lot of things.
A cloud might be a good friend to have…just sit together in comfortable silence when lawmakers talk too much and say so little!
clouds can be skittish and flippant…you are lucky to befriend that …:)
Interesting piece.
How lovely to chat with that little cloud. American Indians teach that clouds do have messages to give us. I’m glad you named her.
Oh! A conversation with a cloud. I miss the days when I made time to lay on the grass and talk with a cloud or a star. I like that you named your cloud and that your conversation was meaningful while lighthearted. 🙂
Beautifully written, Bjorn. I love your way with description and metaphor.
Sometimes, it is good to converse with a cloud they understand your thoughts as they drift about. Thanks for the use of the your photo.
Love how the cloud tells you of her travels, and the description of her dissolving in the rain. Beautiful piece!
Bjorn, that middle stanza on its own is perfect: it has a strong rhythm and an interesting and effective rhyme scheme:
‘The cloud told me of seas
it had traveled,
of waves that could swallow
where water is hallowed.
It told me how seaweed
can mingle their hair,
and how rain is the
same as their sorrow.’
Superb!
I love your poem! There are many thoughts that we mortals, hard a-work on our ant hills miss out on. And I had a funny thought after I read your poem. Maybe lawmakers is what we could lack… and not really experience any lack. Don’t get me thinking too hard, Bjorn!
Thoughtful musings make a good poem.
Very imaginative … the use of personification, here, is awesome (outside of the box and to the stratosphere) really stellar!