Cloud Idyll by Chris Crittenden

clouds have nothing to do
except fascinate me
with whatever i need to see.

i ask them, "what's this?"
and they say,
"a white replica of your mind"

-or

"eighty-three takes on the jowls
of your dreams."

"what do i crave?" i want to know.

the clouds bulge various chins,
conferring over a drift of hours

then realize

the answer
is a fluffy sundae
with mountainous cream on top,

or maybe a ten-humped camel
wallowing in blueberry
wine.


Chris Crittenden, Maine, USA