In 1967, Joni Mitchell wrote “Both Sides Now,” a poignant song about the paradoxical nature of clouds, love and life.
“Rows and floes of angel hair—-And ice cream castles in the air—-
And feather canyons everywhere—-I’ve looked at clouds that way
But now they only block the sun—-They rain and snow on everyone—-
So many things I would have done—-But clouds got in my way—-
I’ve looked at clouds from both sides now—-From up and down, and still somehow—-
It’s cloud illusions I recall—-I really don’t know clouds at all—-”
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If I have learned one lesson about the paradox of life—-it’s that in so many ways a man can be his own best friend and his own worst enemy all at the same time.