never will be

he took it
with a lot more eagerness
than usual

than necessary
than what he thought was
bearable
convenient
nice
easy

he would faint
only to swallow
much pride
and incoherence

for the clouds
they look different now
no more
pirate ships
funny shapes
fluffy sheep

they're all just
um

clouds now.
weren't they always, karl?

he would frown
he doesn't know
he says though

in fact,
they weren't always.