it's 87 o'clock

artwork courtesy of iCanvas

it's 87 o'clock

on this gray rainy day

my brain takes me

on a joy ride gone bad

through memories and dreams

i want to splash bright colors

into this dismal day

but monochromatic 

is all i can muster

there's a cartoon bubble

above my head

saying, "faster please"

and one over a taunting cloud 

saying, "make me"

i'm a joke for sale

without a price tag

and no one's asking 

for the price anyway

i'm a saltine

salt side down

on the hard wood floor of life

ready to crack if stepped on

just one more time

yea, it's 87 o'clock

on this day 

that just refuses to end

Reviews

[jacob erin-cilberto]

each day like any other..the flavor of life on hold...no salt to be seen or felt.
this made me start singing Paul Simon's "Kodachrome"
"gives those nice bright colors, gives us the greens of summer"--
there will be color again...I don't doubt it...has to be.
love this...
j.

[Lydia Shutter]

"Makes you think all the world's a sunny day" Me and my Nikon camera remember that song! :) Yes, there will be color again, but it is taking too long. thanks for the review...and the song worm...Jacob. Lydi**

[Neville]

I think we all have days like the one you describe here, I know I do .. I note these words were posted to the Cafe towards the end of May, so I guess, in the spring.. Not that that necessarily means you penned them then.. I am still posting stuff up to thirty odd years after they were pulled together..

Anyway, pull yerself together man and get back on track ya dont want to bore the pants off the lady, now do ya.. . Okay, so what I'm trying to say is this.. I seriously hope you have begun to notice a little bit o colour creeping in since May.. I also understand of course that you may not have been feeling anywhere near as dismal down and grey as your post might indicate... I have written some pretty awful and gloomy stuff when I have been as happy as Larry and conversely some far more upbeat if not manic stuff when I have been feeling out of kilter with the world and really quite happy or high..

That's what a lot of folk who dont write find hard to understand... anyway I think I have said enough without saying anything much at all... I often seem to do that these days.. Maybe it has something to do with what is happening in the world, or what we are hearing via the media.. I think it probably has .. Okay, I just noticed it is almost half past 87 o' clock British Summer Time.. not sure what it is on your side of the pond.. but I gotta get ready to go out again because someone has just phoned in sick at the clinic and I like a silly old so and so agreed to cover again.. Night night my friend.. Luved this by the way.. maybe I shoulda just said that to begin with N :)

[Lydia Shutter]

Oh, writing always elevates my mood, Neville. It's just that since the quarantine, days seem to drag on for many more hours than 24. I am not sad at all....just a bit bored and frustrated with the entire situation. So you said someone phoned in sick at the clinic....what sort of work do you do? Thanks for the lovely review. Lydi**

[Neville]

my pleasure my friend.. I do a little bit of this and a little bit of that.. just to help out mind :)

[barleygirl]

When I saw your title, I instantly wished I could think up just one of the 100's of startling phrases you often lay down! I love the jocular tone, despite the message being a bit downcast. Love the depiction of conversation between human & cloud -- brilliant! So well-stated in so few words. Many times when people use dialogue in poetry, they don't boil it down to such a powerful punch of back-and-forth in so few words. Very impressive & inspiring! Plus, I know the feeling (as everyone will!) (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Lydia Shutter]

I always appreciate your wonderful reviews, Margie. Thank you. Lydi**

[Miss Sharon]

(yea, it's 87 o'clock on this day that just refuses to end) Been there done that WAY too many times my dear. Enjoyed the write. ~Sharon

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks again, Sharon...always happy to see you on my page. Lydi**

[gram linski]

the title drew me to this one, Lydia, think we all need a bit of colour on dismal days enjoyed this, some great lines

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you very much, Gram. Lydi**

[Robert Trakofler]

I really love that picture!!!! I also enjoyed this poem very much:) The color is coming back dear Lydi but even in the monochrome one can find stunning imagery like you just did in this poem (case you hadn't noticed) beautiful sad is also so very beautiful it makes the sunny days so much more effulgent. Lovely lovely lovely

[Lydia Shutter]

Thank you, Robert....oh, there is beauty in he monochromatic of life, absolutely. I always appreciate your words. LydI**

[James]

It's been raining here for a week, and the dreariness is wearing on us all. I love the upside down saltine...perfect. It's been long days, and they're getting longer...I'm losing my mind

[Lydia Shutter]

It's been raining here too...South Florida. The days are long and one seems the same as the next. Thanks so much for your review. Hang in there. Lydi*

[Lorry]

Some days start at 87 o'clock Lydi, I've seen it with my own eyes.
Those days were you look at the sky and think "I didn't know there were so many different greys."
Grey is the reason Scotland is a big little country, because due to sunlight having to battle through the most hardened and disgruntled clouds, each view can look entirely different the first six or seven hundred times you pass it, making the place feel bigger than it actually is.
The clouds here also have a nasty habit of sagging around what looksto be about three feet above your head, just waiting to ruin your day.
I almost remember what sunshine was... Sigh. 😀

[Lydia Shutter]

Oh my....wish I could send you some sunshine, Lorry, but lately all we have here in South Florida is rain. Eight inches in three days! Flood watches all over. Always happy to read your reviews....your sense of humor is just wonderful. Thanks, Lorry. Lydi**

[Lorry]

The world is getting weirder Lydi. The world is in lockdown, like we've all been put on the naughty step AND it's raining in Florida. Like isn't it the first word anyone would put after Florida? Well, after Dexter then. Yeah, Florida rain.
The world is drunk 😀

[Lydia Shutter]

Oh yea, the world is weird. It's much rainier here this year than the norm.

[Unspoken poet]

but monochromatic
is all i can muster
there's a cartoon bubble
above my head
saying, "faster please"

I LOVED these lines so much, This is really good and very creative

[Lydia Shutter]

Thanks so much. Lydi**

[Dave Brown]

Love the poem
Well above my feeble efforts and it reminded me of the seemingly endless mess we are in
Is it possible to reduce that 87 hours by just a liddle iddy-biddy bit?

[Lydia Shutter]

How I wish I could make it seem like time was moving at a different pace, but as Einstein knew, it is all relative! :) Thanks for the review, Dave. Lydi**

[Ted Kniffen]

There are times when the day seems to never end ... something like this madness that has been foisted on us. Not enough colour or salt to bring a bit of taste to life. We are locked down as well, here in Canada and there is a lot of talk but very little sense coming out of it.
I know the feeling you describe well, and I have very little patience with the virus or the constant bombardment of mostly deceitful information. I have been around for a good number of years and have never witnessed the mindless panic that this bug has invoked.
Too Orwellian for my liking.

Good job here Lydi and 87 o'clock may be adjusted to daylight savings time. ;>}

[Lydia Shutter]

Yes, Orwellian...big brother is watching. Thank you so much for the review and for understanding, Ted. Lydi**