Godscape of Clouds

cumuli from Canaletto’s canvas
under sail on the ocean sky
accumulate in the west
drifting east in billowing florets
juggled by Zeus

nimbus lowers and creeps
up a draw to a final jete
only to fall before the Harpyiae
and release its moisture
over the parched hills

lenticular slips its mountain mooring
stretches an elastic lance
to the Klickitat country
a daring alien craft intruding
at ease in stolid territory

They are sprites, these clouds
that puff from the imagination
a longing to rise and lose oneself
to depart, to join the
phantasmagorical swirl
of the Heavenly godscape

Richard Benner served in the Office of Metro Attorney 2001-12 advising Metro on growth management. From 1991 to 2001 he was Director of the Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development, managing the statewide land use planning program. He was Executive Director of the Columbia River Gorge Commission during the time it developed a management plan for the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area. He spent 12 years as staff attorney with 1000 Friends of Oregon. His recently published book, Into the Wind: Tales and Poetry of the Memaloose Hills, is available in Oregon at Klindt’s Booksellers & Stationers in The Dalles, Waucoma Bookstore in Hood River (re-opening February 3, 2023), Brenna’s Mosier Market in Mosier, and at Broadway Books and the Audubon Nature Store in Portland.