Beyond the Clouds of Paradise

Whenever, and whatever we are doing,
we always stop and watch
when the clouds of paradise
go rolling by.

We see the chosen revelers
in their endless cosmic dance.
We imagine the joy upon their faces
and the glory shining in their eyes.

Every now and then one dances too
close to the edge of their puffy
stratosphere and tumbles far
to the Earth below.

Their shattered forms
scattered across the landscape
share our legends and domain.

When the night is clear,
the sky free of paradise clouds
and others of less distinction,
when the moon is yet to be born,
the stars are at their brightest.

We can see the ancient light
from elliptical galaxy M83,
traveling at outrageous speed
from the spacious heart of Virgo.

Appeared in Strange Horizons