When I was five,

I saw a cloud in the sky.

 

It looked like:

 

The places where fairies slept

And an angel’s halo

And my night-light

That kept monsters away.

 

My hands collided together

As I clapped and ran to get mommy

To show her something pretty.

 

Snowflakes appeared on my rain boots

Like muddy delights

And I spun in thick circles

Staring up at heaven

And almost not believing my fortune until

 

A wail rose up

Like a tide of fire and light

Not as pretty as my night-light.

 

Plunged my eyebrows to my eyes

Because I had found black snowflakes

And a mushroom shaped night-light

And who was disturbing my good fortune?

 

I suddenly looked down at my rain boots

Because

It was the first time

I saw mommy and daddy cry.