The Day I Became a Cloud
A poetic portrait of grief in an Abecedarian
After our goodbye, that’s when it appeared.
Barely noticed at first, floating gray wisps,
Cumulonimbus it became, lightning,
Darkening, should have been alarmed, wasn’t.
Especially since its shape was like yours
Fancied it was you back where you belong.
Gradually it migrated closer
Hovering so near, heartbeat-like thunder.
I didn’t resist when it kept inching,
Just let it envelope me, absorb me,
Kissed by its mist, rattled by its tempest,
Letting it obscure my eyes, fill my mouth,
Matching storms mingling, merging to be one
Never your shape, all this time it was mine.
Only too late did I see the danger,
Pried free from my own bones, I’d been replaced.
Quite strange, to be the cloud and it be me.
Reaching down, fighting against the rising
Skyward bound for being unsuspecting
Tethered below by a single gold thread
Unraveling with me, but still secure,
Veil torn, you’re gone, but not for good, I pull.
Welcomed back to myself as truth triumphs,
Xanthic rays of sun I feel, clouds abate
Yearning for you, yes, always, yet at peace
Zenith reached by standing on solid ground.
About the Creator
D.K. Shepard
Character Crafter, Witty Banter Enthusiast, World Builder, Unpublished novelist...for now
Fantasy is where I thrive, but I like to experiment with genres for my short stories. Currently employed as a teacher in Louisville.
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Comments (4)
I thought at first it was a malevolent cloud but soon realised its metaphorical purpose.
I do love the use of the Xanthic, it is the most difficult letter. Grief can make you feel like a cloud and getting back to the ground is most difficult. This is well done.
Oh, D.K., someone once told me to 'feel' poetry, which is different from being in the moment when a piece of fiction is good, and I felt your poem. It's lovely AND, I learned a new word: Xanthic!
"Kissed by its mist" - liked that bit best!