Gray among the Daffodils

The sun is shining of course

but you see a wool blanket cover the sky
and the willows don't droop so much
and the daffodils peer straight up like teacups

and once in a while a ray
not a drop of golden sun but
a brilliant white sword
slices through the clouds
and those daffodils
tilt and sway and watch the path
of light go by them like a bright parade

And the clouds they rumble to one another
an overheard argument about rain
and the wind and who should let loose first
And the winner drops a gray wet veil
to fill up those fragile cups
where hummingbirds dance for nectar

But then the sun she pokes and prods

Separating her belligerent children

With a light hand until the rain

Has stopped and a prism colors the sky

And the daffodils sparkle

Bejeweled ladies in sunlight

(revised)

Gray

The sun isn't shining of course
you see a blanket shading the sky
and the leaves don't droop
and the flowers peer straight up
and not at an angle
and your sun glasses are clipped
to the visor in your Escort
and once in a while a ray
not a drop of golden sun but
a brilliant white sword
slips through the clouds
and the flowers watch the path
of light go by them like a bright parade
And the clouds they rumble to one another
an overhead argument about rain
and the wind and who would let loose first
And the winner drops a sheet of gray
a wet veil dropping to the horizon
and a ray slips through
and a prism colors the sky

(original)