I wandered lonely as a cloud.
–by William Wordsworth,
from his eponymous poem
Seeing a cumulus puff amongst cirrocumulus sheets made the mountain dragon laugh.
“You’re an anachronism!”
Try as I might to slough off the words, his throaty grumbles clung like heavy ice crystals. They turned my cushiony cotton into spiked crackles which shredded sensitivity. I shrank into a crevasse.
One day a stray sunbeam landed and whispered,
“Dragons come and go at their whim. So can you.”
I wandered lonely as a cloud, drifting down from the peaks, seeking warm green.
The scent of humus was in the air, and I felt lighter. I looked down and realized I was raining on a gurgling creek being hugged by moss banks and dancing birch leaves. Mallards circled and ruffled in the water under me, quacking in good cheer.
Giggles grew louder as breeze blew other powder puffs near.
“Welcome! We’re glad you’re here!”
[144 words]
Notes from SciJinks about clouds:
(high) Cirrocumulus clouds are thin, sometimes patchy, sheet-like clouds. They sometimes look like they’re full of ripples or are made of small grains. Weather prediction: Fair, but cold. However, if you live in a tropical region, these clouds could be a sign of an approaching hurricane!
(low) Cumulus clouds look like fluffy, white cotton balls in the sky. They are beautiful in sunsets, and their varying sizes and shapes can make them fun to observe!
Weather prediction: Fair
Also, I’m 99% sure that the last 2 lines of my poem are from a children’s book, “On the Day You Were Born,” by Debra Frasier, one of my favorite children’s books.
top image: “Magic Hour No. 2” by Stev’nn Hall
Lillian is today’s host for dVerse’ Prosery Monday. Lillian says:
The line I want you to include in your prose/flash fiction piece of 144 words or less, sans title, is “I wandered lonely as a cloud”. Remember, you must use the line, word for word.
Tao Talk 
Loving this magical tale!
Such beautiful description throughout….I am particularly smitten with ” a gurgling creek being hugged by moss banks and dancing birch leaves.”
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Lillian 🙂
LikeLike
Great story. You really pulled me in. I’m thinking this would make for a really good fantasy story. Depending on where it went it could be for kids or adults. I only say kids because I don’t read fantasy stuff so I never imagine that adults do. Lol. Narrow mind….
LikeLiked by 2 people
Christine, thank you very much ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Light-hearted morality tale, a children’s storybook for sure. THE LONELY LITTLE CLOUD. Illustrated by Dr. Seuss.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Glenn, thanks! I could see that!
LikeLike
What a magical story Lisa.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Marion ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is beautiful Li. Love the story of the clouds.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Sadje, thank you. I’m partial to clouds and their stories 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome my friend
LikeLiked by 1 person
Rebirth is so essential. Poetic and powerful, as I’ve come to expect. Thanks, Lisa.
LikeLiked by 2 people
K, thank you so much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re very welcome.
LikeLiked by 1 person
“Mallards circled and ruffled in the water under me, quacking in good cheer.”
My favourite lines of your story..
Pardon me if i read a little of the Ugly Duckling in your gorgeously told tale
Much💜love
LikeLiked by 2 people
Gillena thank you very much. I agree, be they ducklings or clouds, a tough time for a bit but in the end happy outcome ❤
LikeLike
An excellent write Lisa!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Carol 🙂
LikeLike
An enchanting use of the prompt. Bravo!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Susan, thank you!
LikeLike
This is a lovely tale. It would be a nice story for a children’s book.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks much, Ken.
LikeLike
An absolutely captivating piece. I especially loved the imagery of ” throaty grumbles clung like heavy ice crystals” and “I was raining on a gurgling creek being hugged by moss banks and dancing birch leaves.” Besides the idea of a children’s story, I also saw it as an imaginative escape from the chaos of the world to a peaceful haven.
LikeLiked by 2 people
“Someone” I like what you’re seeing here. Thanks much ❤
LikeLike
What a delight to find dragons and talking clouds! Though the dragon was unkind, this unfolded happily ever after with a vindicated cloud finding their place and appreciation. Nice.
LikeLiked by 2 people
D, thank you very much.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I like the way the story progressed–great ending. (K)
LikeLiked by 2 people
Kerfe, thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A wonderful tale with a message. I think Eric Carle wrote a children’s book about a cloud as well.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Truedessa. I like Eric Carle’s work. IIRC he’s also a collage artist. There’s also “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” that I read to my kids when they were little.
LikeLike
I wandered lonely as a cloud,
drifting down from the peaks,
seeking warm green.
I could feel lots of movements in your write, Jade! It makes it very much alive.
Hank
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hank, thank you.
LikeLike
Delightfully magical, Li! Love it. 💖
LikeLiked by 2 people
Punam, thank you ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
My pleasure. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
ooooh…. a fantasy piece – this is great, Lisa!
❤
David
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks, David ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
Nice poem, Lisa. As I was reading it and looking at the photo, I had the clip of the rainy day duck pond run in the background – I find water sounds very relaxing. After a while I thought, ‘gee, these 3 minutes are really long’ – then, I realized it’s actually 3 hours. I hope the camera that captured the footage was placed on a stand, not being held by a cameraman or camerawoman! 🙂
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks a lot, Christian. You’re right the sound of rain and gurgling water is extremely relaxing.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love this, Lisa. You chose the perfect image to go with!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Dale thank you. It took me awhile to find it.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Worth your effort!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing very magical story dear.
LikeLiked by 1 person
You’re welcome, Anita.
LikeLike
That one flows really well Lisa. “Giggles grew louder as breeze blew other powder puffs near” that is good imagination.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Max, thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is incredible! A beautiful piece💖💫
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person