“In the Middle” by Pearl Pirie

in the middle of the field
clouds’ shadows prove
they are closer than the trees

Commentary: When I am working on the exquisitely beautiful, 14th century poem, “Pearl,” I always find other beautiful poems and ideas out in the world — all related by the word “pearl.” Today, I found Pearl Pirie’s online chapbook: Page Half-Full Poems. Her haiku, above, struck me because I have been reading haiku every night and writing them ever since I was in Southern California a few weeks ago.

What does it mean not only for our natural life in the world, but our spiritual life within, when the shadows of the clouds are closer than the trees?