XV
CLOUD-MUSIC

You are a white cloud like the one           Numbers 9:15, etc.
which guided the people of God
through the desert; a cloud of whiteness
like a pearl in your black cloud
without form, the infinite shell
which is your Father. A white cloud tinged
by the blood of the sun that enters the earth
and is about to rise in another world
where His kingdom is. White like the clouds,
foam from the heavens, the celestial
fleece that pours water over the earth.
Like glistening snow is the garment           Mark 9:2, Exodus 34:29.
of this, your weary soul, Nazarene;
like snow; there is no launderer on earth
who could make it so white: it shines
like snow, a mirror of light. He took Peter,           Matthew 17:1, Luke 9:28.
James and John up on a mountain to pray
and his face was transfigured. But suddenly
another cloud casts a shadow of sadness
over his palid brow, and a soft voice
came from the cloud, saying: “This is my Son,
my beloved Son, in whom I am pleased, hear him!”
And the snowy whiteness of your divine body
emerges to sing among those who are dead
—it does not speak—because your body
is a divine song, and that soft canticle
—white like the music of your eyes—
like the harp of David, comforts           1 Samuel 16:14-23.
our souls when the evil spirit
torments them, and the harmonious
notes coming from your sacred breast
quiet the sorrows that are lodged
in the depths of our secluded
hearts. And then, the poor soul
that was tormented by the sinister
hand of the Tempter which oppresses           Luke 13: 11-13.
and makes us sad, on hearing the symphony
of your body, like a crumpled stem
that is invigorated, it straightens up
and begins to recover its purpose.           Luke 13:10.
You are a song that never ends;
Lord, you are the sonorous solitude,
the epiphany of a concerto that unites
all people. Your body is a universal harp
which plays the music of the spheres.