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.