Paper fish

A variation on another poem I wrote.

With metallic clouds,

darkness gathers.

From the tumbling sky,

my shoulders splatter.

Street puddles boil

and gutters clatter,

while bullfrogs assert:

What does it matter?

The vat in the sky is now released

to soggy sidewalks and mirrored streets.

And neon lights flaunt lucent streaks.

Had water been wine, could I serve a feast?

For today,

I compare myself to a corporate fish

whose shoes go squeak

and swoosh and swish

near buildings that sit

like sunken ships.

So I'll mop up my misery

and swim away

through chlorinated walkways

this wet Wednesday.

It's down to a drizzle,

though come what may,

I'm a sidewalk fish

in this city today.

Reviews

[Great Aunt Astri]

I switched off a bit when I read this, (I was swimming with the fish...lovely image) but the flow of words and the poetic sounds were like succour to my semi-conscious mind. When I came round with a start,(what, paper fish?) I felt wonderfully refreshed! Good for you!

[Relic]

Thanks very much Aunt Astri. I'm glad you enjoyed it. :)

[Dr. YumnaKay]

Interesting imagery here. I especially liked the ending, kinda like acceptance of what we are really..
Nicely penned.

[Relic]

Thanks very much Yumnakay.

[Dr. YumnaKay]

You're welcome, Relic. 😊

[Muse]

You have become quite the seasoned writer. I do believe you've mastered the art of using colorful analogy to describe your thoughts and feelings in the most beautiful way. Surrealism at it's best. And a favorite in my library.

[Relic]

Thanks so much for saying that. It's good to see you drop by. :)

[Muse]

I'm feeling better...I thought it was time to say hello to some of my old friends.

[Relic]

I'm glad to hear that. A lot of them have gone. :(

[Muse]

I've noticed. But not surprised. They probably got caught up with life. Or like myself...lost inspiration to write.

[Relic]

I'm surprised I'm still here myself.

[Muse]

Well the weather here in Iowa is cold and wet...I'm stuck inside the house. So I thought why not visit? :)

[Relic]

I've seen a couple of people from the old days here lately.

[Muse]

who else????????????

[Relic]

Hmm? None of your business, Let me think.....haha, I can't remember their names but you know them. When I think of the names I'll tell you. :)

[Relic]

Baby Richochet, the analog kid....

[Muse]

Analog kid...ran into him on fb. Sigh...it makes me feel old, talking about the good old days. :(

[Relic]

Yeah, me too. I hope we don't need canes or wheelchairs soon. :D

[Muse]

or diapers....

lol

[Relic]

............Depends.

[Muse]

I'll make sure I'm dead before anybody needs to take care of me. I'm going to do a Thelma and Louise. I just need to find Louise.

[Relic]

ha. I've been saying to myself lately, "I hope I die before I get old."

[Great Aunt Astri]

Hey! wait a minute kids! It is LUVLY being old, That is just as long as you don't pretend you are not!!!!!!

[Muse]

who's pretending???

[Relic]

Well, I hope I can have a good attitude when I get older. I see what my dad is going through. I don't want to go through that.

[mattavelli]

Hello, Relic! :)
Great imagery and phrasing here. The shift from playful to dreary suggests that you don't like soggy shoes.

[Relic]

Never did. :) Thank you for reading.

[Annette Pisano-Higley]

Just love it! Great rhythm, flow and imagery. "Sidewalk fish" is so original and, yes, squishy!

[Relic]

Thank you very much Annette. :)

[J.J. NIGHTINGALE]

Wow..perfection of imagery.. you had me captive from the start....and great Image !! beautiful.
Who knew the city was so color=full !

Jazzy

[Relic]

Thank you very much Jazzy. :)

[J.J. NIGHTINGALE]

YRW.... This may be one of your best !!!!

[Relic]

Thanks for saying that Jazzy. :D

[J.J. NIGHTINGALE]

You are welcome.!!

[emmajoy]

.. .. 'shoulders splatter. ~ ~ Street puddles boil and gutters clatter, ~~ bullfrogs assert: ~~
what does it matter? .. .. '

Love it - a metamorphic Alice, Magic, High Flying, You and yet more YOU! Seems your world is an upside down dilutable re-creation of this 'chorinated sidewalk' You ARE a paper fish and you love your cerebral wanderings and observations - cos it shows in every line.

[Relic]

Succinctly put Emma. I like you interpretation. Thanks for reading. :)

[emmajoy]

I try, truly do..

[V]

Great use of words and playing with imagery. I love how it took me, from each well chosen word to rain soaked images. Love the title, also. Very nice read.

[Relic]

Thanks so much for reading. :)

[V]

You're welcome.

[Anonymous]

I whole heartily agree with Duff! I also just really like how this manages to paint both a literal and a metaphorical picture, good job! :D

[Relic]

I appreciate that Sami, thank you.

[duff]

Your imagery is ridiculous. This is vivid and just so many things that are great about poetry. Read it again and its better the second time. Nice work

[Relic]

Thanks very much.

[duff]

You're very welcome