I See A Cloud

To the king, the prophet said,

“Take rest, for I hear the sound of much rain.”

The king took rest, while the prophet prayed,

his face between his knees.

To the servant, the prophet said,

“Look toward the sea.”

The servant said, “There is nothing.”

And seven more times, “Look again.”

On the seventh time, “I see a cloud

as small as a man’s hand rising from the sea.”

To the servant, the prophet said,

“Tell the king to prepare for war and beware of rain.”

How soon the sky turned black

with clouds and wind and much rain.

So the king went, but the prophet ran ahead

the hand of God upon him and his clothing up under his belt.

(Based on the biblical story of Elijah and Ahab in 1 Kings 18:41-46.)