Caspar David Friedrich, “Drifting Clouds,”[Public Domain], Wikipedia Commons
and watched the clouds flying
like time
on feathered wings,
I flew along,
eager for what it’d bring,
asking why–
finding when
happens then
again, and time the thing
like clouds
that drifts up, away, sighing.
Taking a work break! This is a quadrille for De’s prompt on dVerse using the word “up,” and for my dVerse prompt on theories.
And some music, Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now”–from her Clouds album.
Yesterday and today: Merril's historical musings 
That one thing we can’t hold, always slipping through our fingers.
Yup. That it does!
Yay! So happy you joined in, Merril. Love this. You had me at the title, and then again at that one last sigh.
Aww–thanks so much, De! 🙂
As soon as I saw your title, I thought of Joni Mitchell. Now I feel like going outside to cloud watch. Lovely, Merril.
Thanks so much, Jill!
Cloud watching and time contemplating must be a welcome relief from looking down or at computer keys. Yes?
I think you would know, Marian. 😉
Nice lines: “asking why–
finding when”
Thank you, Frank!
Hi Merril, really like this beautiful piece on clouds. I have included a link to the most breautlkingly beautiful recording of “Both Sides Now” that Joni ever made. It was recorded for her gorgeous ballet entitled “The Fiddle and the Drum”. It is danced to magnificent re-recording Joni created of her most esoteric songs. It is haunting and exquisite. Go to this link and listen to Joni perform her classic as a mature woman, in an experience you won’t forget!
Thank you for your kind words, and for the link. I have actually heard this version on the Penn station, but I didn’t know it was done for a ballet. I can imagine it. This version is certainly poignant, and different from when she was a young woman whipping off the songs for this album.
I’m glad I scrolled! I was going to include this version as well – my absolute favourite version with her cigarette/life-roughened voice that gets you deep in the gut.
It is interesting having both versions of the song to hear not only the changes in her voice, but also a different perspective to the words–she was so young when she wrote it.
It is indeed. To have written it so young – mind you, she had done some living…
Yes.
The way Tom Rush tells it, when she was young, she just cranked out those songs.
Incredibly wise and deep way before her time (should have been). I only started appreciating her in the last 20 years. Guess I wasn’t ready before 😉
😉
Time slips away…(and Joni is always appropriate) (K)
Yes, it does. And yes she is. 🙂
Beautiful, Merril I love this (and the video).
Thank you very much, Dale!
“Eager for what I’d bring” such a beautiful thought, enjoyed these lines Merril, and the bonus of JM too.
I just found this comment in WP spam, so I apologize for not acknowledging sooner. Thank you very much. I’m glad you enjoyed both words and songs. 🙂
No problem Merril, it happens regularly to us all, thank you.
Drifting clouds give (me) a sense of the motion of time. Thanks Merril –
Thank you very much, Susan.
How did I miss this! I love those clouds on feathered wings (and the painting) 🙂
Thanks for finding it–and thank you!
I didn’t have the painting in mind, but it does work beautifully here.
It does 🙂 Outlook tucks posts away where I don’t find them unless I go on a search.
🙂
Beautifully done
Thank you, Derrick.
I love the ambiguity of that last sigh. And that title. Thank you!
Thank you very much for your lovely comment!
I do love this.. sometimes you have to follow the clouds, they are our dreams.
Thanks so much! Yes, they are.
Beautiful, Merril. Clouds remind us of how fast time flies by (just watching them streaming by) but also, cloud watching helps us stop time.
Yes, good point, Pam. Thank you!
This is lovely. “…time on feathered wings,” Exquisite. I enjoyed listening to Joni Mitchell, too. Both versions. Or both sides, now. 🙂
Thanks so much, Robin. I’m glad you enjoyed both poem and recordings. 🙂
As a big fan of clouds and Joni, you did them well!
Thank you very much! 🙂
Love your poem, and adore “Both Sides Now”!
Nothing cloudy about what you say. Thank you!
Thank you very much, Resa!