Wall Clouds
By Beverly Boyd

Wall clouds
do not sing;
do not bloom
on the horizon
like other clouds.
Instead,
they foster wind,
harbor tornadoes,
ominous wall clouds.
Prophets of violence,
nevertheless
innocent nature,
they do not speak to us,
wall clouds,
silent on the horizon
until the storm happens.

— Beverly Boyd is an English professor at Kansas University. Poet’s Showcase features work by area poets. Submit your poetry via e-mail with a subject line of Poet’s Showcase to mpaget@ljworld.com or send typewritten (not handwritten) submissions to Mindie Paget, 645 N.H., Lawrence 66044, attn: Poet’s Showcase. Teen writers should submit their work to the 18 & Under page at teens@ljworld.com.