Clouds

/ Daniel Swearingen


“The pillar of cloud by day, and the pillar of fire by night, departed not from me.” – Exodus 13:22 (Paraphrased DS)

“There was a star riding through clouds one night, and I said to the star, ‘Consume me’.” – Virginia Woolf

It is a wee voice, a small murmur like that gift of calling to Father Samuel, the end of a whisper as it falls to reprieve. It is a hum, a syllable or two not known by any tongue. An undertow that pulls with its sound. For it is a question, and everywhere the sky is painted, with colors and clouds. It is a wee voice, and it comes from many clouds.

The boy stands at the canyon, the one that lures him in. The curious art he sees in the obscurities, the mysteries without end. He ask himself a question, a personal thought within. Where does the course carved by this river have a source to begin? Am I to be like this canyon, carved and butchered below a skyward facing rim?

A cloud moves slowly throwing shadows, a humming voice in wind. All my life a cloud just behind me. A small cloud known to move many rivers, and bring them home again.

The young man stands near the ocean, the one that dares him swim. The twisted patterns he sees in its never-ending currents. The dark water appears so dim. Greater than the tempest, an octave of torrents. The face of Lilith looking up from a vast and pale vale. A moment or two of indecision, a fear of drowning in depths that have never seen the stars. He ask himself a question, of which not a word begins with when. Who calls to me? Who calls to me? Am I to be within this water? Dead and plummeting without breath.

A cloud moves slowly throwing shadows, a humming voice in wind. All my life a cloud just behind me. A small cloud known to move many rivers, and bring them home again.

The gray haired man stands on a mountain, above and below some clouds, he sees. It appears just a moment or a prospect to close his eyes and disappear for eternity. The wind has the sound of spirit voices, the eagle it swoops in vain. Somewhere close just nigh of heaven up here, the rocks echo a name. He ask himself a question. Is my destiny still the same? Is my destiny still the same? Am I to fly home into these heavens, finally to be consumed by your flame?

A cloud moves slowly throwing shadows, a humming voice in wind. All my life a cloud just behind me. A small cloud known to move many rivers, and bring them home again.

It is a wee voice, and it comes from many clouds. – 02.18.2019 – דָנִיֵּאל

63 thoughts on “Clouds”

  1. It’s the voice of thunder, far, far away. It’s low.. soft… folding, as cream whipped. It’s a familiar scene.
    Yet, nearer, thunder overtakes all sound, drowning the beauty Lilith. Well, perhaps it is her, in a cloud which speaks with its thunder.

    Liked by 1 person

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  6. Daniel, I remember as a child my grandmother reading from the old testament about the Hebrews with the cloud with them throughout the Wilderness. Your metaphors are wonderful in this piece, I found a lot to apply to my own life. Thank you. ❤

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  8. Brother, you have penned yet another thoughtful, spiritual guidance piece that means much to me. I can identify with the phases of life, and how each is a part of the journey that Hashem helps us to resolve. Thank you. Den

    Liked by 1 person

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  9. Hi Daniel, I identified with the following amazing line in your well thought out piece. “A cloud moves slowly throwing shadows, a humming voice in wind. All my life a cloud just behind me. A small cloud known to move many rivers, and bring them home again.” As always I thank you.

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  21. Hi Daniel,

    I read through “Clouds” a couple of times and found new things the second time I read it. I agree that life in stages certainly at first glance can present chasms, valleys dark canyons, that we wonder how we will ever navigate without assistance. I take it the cloud has its origins from the Torah. A wonderful analogy as is the whole piece on a life of searching. Take care. ❤
    A

    Liked by 1 person

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  25. Pingback: Clouds | Bringing The "WINDOWS FROM HEAVEN" To The People EASTER 2019 -WE BELIEVE!

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