Blue Skies, Daydreams, Watching Clouds He saw bears and eagles, an alligator, grandpa’s puppy in heaven. One time, a dragon. One time, Kokopelli. Every day, he watched the clouds boil and rearrange themselves. One day, he saw them form you. You were brilliant – shining and dancing like the sun on water. He took your picture to keep in his pocket. And then you were gone, and the darkness came, but he still looked for you. And he saw that he could see clouds at night, too, and nebula, among the stars. He waited – how long? Years – He waited years until he was stooped and hobbled, for a sign. One day, a star fell. Faint, concentric waves just offshore. He waded in. Stardust, peonies, rose petals. He knew it was you. Copyright 2023 Jay McClendon
Jay McClendon was born and raised in Birmingham, Alabama, and now lives in Herndon, VA. He was most recently published in Maryland Literary Review.
30 for 30 is sponsored by Potomac Review
