Like Humble Cloud

From breezes in the summer heat,
I saw the ripples swell, retreat.
Framed in by lily pad and reed
it bragged a pretty sight indeed.

I gazed upon reflection's scene
and never questioned what I'd seen.
On water's face, a cloud of white
would bend and twist as in a fight.

In clear reflection on the lake
I saw that cloud. It wasn't fake.
And with my eyes, I had believed.
But I was wrong. I was deceived.

Reflection's great deceptions are
mere perceptions, fake, bizarre.
I never saw a single cloud
'cept what reflection had allowed.

As I stared down at water's edge,
there was no cloud there, I alleged.
Then I looked up in reverence
and found the real evidence.

Deceived? Oh yes! I felt alone,
so in a rage threw heavy stone.
I saw that stone and water crash.
It killed reflection with a splash!

Do not look down. It isn't right
to be deceived by pretty sight.
Deception's lie? You're all alone.
No! Make a splash with heavy stone.

I now see God a diff'rent way
when I see nature day to day.
Instead of lie's reflection here,
I now look up and see it clear.

And clearly seen, it seems unfair
that there's no boast or bragging there.
That cloud continued 'cross the sky.
It knew not where, nor how, nor why.

As God created it to be,
it simply was- as you and me.
It floated by in slow decrease
and humbly faded off in peace.

In quiet peace as it's allowed,
I'll always live like humble cloud.
I hover o'er deception's waves
and see each splash as Jesus saves.

Reflections you can always see,
but in His image, I will be -
that humble cloud, that real thing,
up here with God, my Lord and King.

This poem won second place for the May 2019 poetry contest