Luke Howard, Namer of Clouds
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Eldezar and Asama Yama, 1783,
erupted violently; a Great Fogg blending incredible skies over Europe. In London, Luke Howard was ten. The sky’s lad then. Smitten, he stared up evermore; saw a meteor’s fiery spurt, the clamouring stars; what the moon wouldn’t do; but loved clouds most- dragons and unicorns; Hamlet’s camels, weasels and whales; the heads of heroes; the sword of Excalibur, lit by the setting sun. Mackerel sky, mackerel sky, not long wet, not long dry. And knew love goes naming, even a curl of hair - thus, Cirrus. Cumulus. Stratus. Nimbus. Carol Ann Duffy was Britain's Poet Laureate from May 2009 to 2019. |