Awesome Nature

One evening, I was watching as early storm clouds approached in what was the beginning of a late winter storm coming from Japan. It was an unusually beautiful night…the kind sometimes poised right before a storm. The moon was almost full, and on the hill where I live we have an inexhaustible view of the sky. I went out to the patio around 9:30  to view the advance clouds as they swept in from the sea like giant chess pieces. They were backlit by the moon and a starry sky, and a soft orange purple glow seeped through each of them. They   weren’t all bunched up, so they gave the illusion of individuality and identifiable shapes that looked recognizable.   

   
I was mesmerized, watching what appeared to be an entire army of clouds sweeping their way eastward at a rapid pace, forerunners of a great storm to come. And as imagination fused with shape, I could make out the headdresses of  Japanese warriors, swords lifted, ready for battle, oblivious to what was above or below.

I wished at that moment that I could capture the feeling and visualization with paint, but knew my level of skill would not do them justice. I remained transfixed for about 15 minutes, and after coming into the house, realized how relatively small everything seemed in comparison.

Those gigantic clouds had a purpose, and it was as though they swept over the hills and valleys undaunted by anyone’s opinion of them. They were on their way to complete a mission, and in their viewing, I came once again to immense respect for nature and her incredible power and majesty. What a vast and extraordinary creation we all are!
KJ