I've Looked At Clouds That Way.......

Remember when you were a kid and on a warm spring day you'd plunk down on the lawn or in a field and lie back to watch the clouds go by?  You'd imagine the changing shapes as lions or sheep or faces.  Forget about the ticks and all those other evil, adult thoughts that burrow into you mind and rob you of the pleasure of unfettered childish abandon.  Take a moment, set down the burden you happen to be carrying, and lie down, face upturned.....and as you breathe deeply, watch the leaves overhead, riffling in the breeze, sun-dappled, every color of green waving to you from above.  Drink in the fragrance of the Sweet Williams and Dames Rocket.  Lie still and listen to your heartbeat....life is good!  You have permission...compliments of Joni Mitchell..to build castles in the air.

Bows and flows of angel hair,

and ice cream castles in the air,

and feathered canyons everywhere,

I've looked at clouds that way,

but now they only block the sun.

They rain and snow on everyone.

So many things I would have done,

but clouds got in my way.

I've looked at clouds from both sides now,

from up and down, and still somehow,

it's clouds illusions I recall.

I really don't know clouds...at all.

Moons and Junes and ferris wheels, the dizzy dancing way you feel

as every fairy tale comes real; I've looked at love that way.

But now it's just another show. You leave 'em laughing when you go

and if you care, don't let them know, don't give yourself away.

I've looked at love from both sides now,

from give and take, and still somehow

it's love's illusions I recall.

I really don't know love at all.

Tears and fears and feeling proud, to say "I love you" right out loud,

dreams and schemes and circus crowds, I've looked at life that way.

But now old friends are acting strange, they shake their heads,

they say I've changed.

Something's lost but something's gained in living every day.

I've looked at life from both sides now,

from win and lose, and still somehow

it's life's illusions I recall.

I really don't know life at all.