CLOUDY DAYS

[Verse 1]
Looked out my window this morning
Past the skyline, steel and gray
The Sears Tower used to mean something
Now it just blocks the day
They told me the tallest get the glory
But the view don’t change your name
My tie’s too tight, the coffee’s bitter
And I can’t outrun the shame

[Verse 2]
Took the “L” in, half-awake
Headphones on, just hearing air
Pressed my face against the window
Saw my life reflected there
Last weekend at the Bean downtown
I caught a glimpse of someone else
Don’t know if I imagined it
But for a second, I looked like myself

[Chorus]
Cloudy days, fluorescent glow
Feels like I’m here, but I don’t know
If I ever meant to come this far
Or if I just forgot to go
Cloudy days, and I don’t speak
Light above me, but it don’t reach
And if this is how the story ends
Then I’ve got to write something different

[Verse 3]
She’s on the train most every morning
Reading something old and worn
Looks like she still knows the seasons
Doesn’t bend to where she’s torn
I wonder if she wonders too
What we’re all trying not to say
Would she smile if I said hello?
Or just fade back into gray

[Bridge]
If you’re chasing taller ceilings
Make sure your heart still fits inside
I bought into the pretty pictures
Now I flinch at my own pride
They’ll clap for you in marble lobbies
But won’t stay when curtains fall
You might reach the top by morning
And still not feel there at all

[Verse 4]
I started writing just to feel it
Didn’t plan for it to rhyme
But something real leaks through the cracks
When you’ve been quiet for too much time
Maybe I’ll ask her for that coffee
Maybe I’ll just walk through the park
No headphones, no disguise
Let this silence be my start

[Final Chorus]
Cloudless days — they’re still a dream
But I don’t need to fake the scene
I’m not a title, not a chair
Just a name and breath and open air
Cloudy days still come and go
But I don’t fold the way I did before
If this is how the light gets in
Then maybe I was meant for more

Copyright © | Year Posted 2018



Post Comments

Poetrysoup is an environment of encouragement and growth so only provide specific positive comments that indicate what you appreciate about the poem. Negative comments will result your account being banned.

Please Login to post a comment

12
Date: 7/18/2018 2:34:00 AM
Hi Lyric Man. I can relate to these lyrics very well, expecially the 'My suit and tie.. strangling 24/7' line. I have been working in an office for years whilst daily coming up with ideas for poems and songs. I keep dreaming about my tomorrow's too. Excellent lyrics once again Lyric Man.
Login to Reply
Date: 7/14/2018 7:25:00 PM
I like that this poem is coming from a man. Sometimes I think that most guys have so much drive for their job and that is all that matters. Nice to see that you want more. Thanks for sharing.
Login to Reply
Date: 7/4/2018 6:27:00 PM
Very good point about not wasting our time. Do what you want and see if it doesn't work out.
Login to Reply
Date: 7/3/2018 6:08:00 PM
Soulful feelings from within
Login to Reply
Date: 7/3/2018 6:08:00 AM
I can relate to this as I work in an office. Great lyrics Lyric Man.
Login to Reply
Date: 7/3/2018 4:54:00 AM
It is beautiful.. What I love about it is how it touches reality and brings it so close for others
Login to Reply
Date: 7/3/2018 2:30:00 AM
Although I've been retired a number of years now, I know exactly where you're coming from.
Login to Reply
Date: 7/3/2018 12:56:00 AM
Very well written . Its so true.
Login to Reply
Date: 7/2/2018 6:21:00 PM
I recently retired from a place which checks all the boxes your poem covers. I managed to escape with my soul intact and while I miss my department people, don't miss the managing stuff.
Login to Reply
Date: 7/2/2018 2:06:00 PM
Love the lyric :-) My husband was a lot like this until it was too much for his heart. I'm so glad he finally retired. Good write..
Login to Reply
Date: 7/1/2018 11:02:00 AM
i can imagine you living in a suitcase and yet finding time to breathe, relish the beauty of life... fascinating melody; take it easy, D... huggs
Login to Reply
Date: 6/30/2018 8:02:00 PM
It truly was a wake up song for such a guy as this, Lyric Man. Great creativity!
Login to Reply
Date: 6/30/2018 7:00:00 PM
Thank God I am retired and retired before the recommended age! I enjoyed the work and made a nice pay but the longer I stayed with the company the more difficult was the work, so I threw in the towel. Have never regretted it. Your poem strikes a chord with most of read it. / M
Login to Reply
Date: 6/30/2018 12:01:00 PM
Lyric Man, vivid imagination about the tough life we lead. Ferment captured in a captivating poem. Thanks for enlightening us on aspects of real life we sometimes take for granted. Keep such nuggets flowing more and more, Lyric Man. John, Zambia
Login to Reply
Date: 6/30/2018 9:18:00 AM
Beautifully done! It clutched my heart. All we have is our time, until we don't.
Login to Reply
Date: 6/29/2018 9:14:00 PM
I listened to your nice song. I specially admire those who write long poems. I can't. Joy n Peace.
Login to Reply
Date: 6/29/2018 5:16:00 PM
Hi Lyric, once again you sing another golden song. This read just rolls off the tongue. It is a song that is known to many my friend. We only have one shot at life and we have to make the best we can of it. I love the content and the wonderful rhythm. An excellent piece Lyric. This one goes into my faves. Have a wonderful weekend. Your friend always....Mike.
Login to Reply
Date: 6/29/2018 5:01:00 PM
The biggest regrets in life is what we didn't do, not what we did do. Good Job! Got me thinking....
Login to Reply
Date: 6/29/2018 3:58:00 PM
Awesome message in there, LM, love how it just rolls along in a rhythm & Blues sort of way.
Login to Reply
Man Avatar
Lyric Man
Date: 6/29/2018 4:42:00 PM
Thanks Harry.. there actually was some blues magic in this write as I was listening to Don Henley (my fav) and Paul Carrack when I wrote this today.
Date: 6/29/2018 3:41:00 PM
A deep message in your poem Lyric Man..a wake up call for us all. If everyone heeds your advice, life would be happier indeed..I want to go to that park where it is never cloudy!
Login to Reply
Date: 6/29/2018 1:05:00 PM
Very nice write! I definitely can relate. You'll get out of that eventually! ??
Login to Reply
Man Avatar
Lyric Man
Date: 6/29/2018 2:05:00 PM
Ha.. I said no to that a long time ago. I have a great gig that allows me to chase adventure, see the world, and have time to read your poetry (at least when I'm on the road).
Date: 6/29/2018 12:33:00 PM
We are surrounded by beautiful souls.. We have our passions and ambitions.. We get inspired and we do inspire others.. Isn't that a bliss and a bless?! Isn't that a"real heaven that isn't hell?! I enjoyed reading your Lyric! Insightful write.. Thank you so much for sharing Lyric Man. Stay blessed.
Login to Reply
Date: 6/29/2018 12:30:00 PM
"This heaven's become a living hell"! Absolutely true in a sense! We are getting more and more wrapped up into everyday life that stained by ugliness.. But "Is there a real heaven that isn't hell"?!. you penned the answer in a beautiful way Lyric Man! We do have a heaven of our own! We have our very genuine dreams..
Login to Reply
Date: 6/29/2018 12:02:00 PM
Wonderful. Verse LM. True, true, so very true.. Let' s take time off work life.... Imagine everything gonna burn one day even us if we're not careful...So let's use, but less material things spend more time with family and friends. Great write James
Login to Reply
Man Avatar
Lyric Man
Date: 6/29/2018 2:14:00 PM
I'm not collecting stuff, I'm making and treasuring memories. I'm a minimalist. We don't need all that junk. Better to rent on rare occasions when you do. We can't take any of that mess with us when we pass over.
Date: 6/29/2018 11:33:00 AM
Now that I am retired and have not to work anymore I can live what you are dreaming of dear, L.M.! A deep existential poem, true to the bone that one cannot feel its magnitude unless he steps out of the reality he lives! Patience is the secret, patience and time and most of all good health! I truly enjoyed it my friend!
Login to Reply
12
Get a Premium Membership
Get more exposure for your poetry and more features with a Premium Membership.
Book: Reflection on the Important Things

Member Area

My Admin
Profile and Settings
Edit My Poems
Edit My Quotes
Edit My Short Stories
Edit My Articles
My Comments Inboxes
My Comments Outboxes
Soup Mail
Poetry Contests
Contest Results/Status
Followers
Poems of Poets I Follow
Friend Builder

Soup Social

Poetry Forum
New/Upcoming Features
The Wall
Soup Facebook Page
Who is Online
Link to Us

Member Poems

Poems - Top 100 New
Poems - Top 100 All-Time
Poems - Best
Poems - by Topic
Poems - New (All)
Poems - New (PM)
Poems - New by Poet
Poems - Read
Poems - Unread

Member Poets

Poets - Best New
Poets - New
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems
Poets - Top 100 Most Poems Recent
Poets - Top 100 Community
Poets - Top 100 Contest

Famous Poems

Famous Poems - African American
Famous Poems - Best
Famous Poems - Classical
Famous Poems - English
Famous Poems - Haiku
Famous Poems - Love
Famous Poems - Short
Famous Poems - Top 100

Famous Poets

Famous Poets - Living
Famous Poets - Most Popular
Famous Poets - Top 100
Famous Poets - Best
Famous Poets - Women
Famous Poets - African American
Famous Poets - Beat
Famous Poets - Cinquain
Famous Poets - Classical
Famous Poets - English
Famous Poets - Haiku
Famous Poets - Hindi
Famous Poets - Jewish
Famous Poets - Love
Famous Poets - Metaphysical
Famous Poets - Modern
Famous Poets - Punjabi
Famous Poets - Romantic
Famous Poets - Spanish
Famous Poets - Suicidal
Famous Poets - Urdu
Famous Poets - War

Poetry Resources

Anagrams
Bible
Book Store
Character Counter
Cliché Finder
Poetry Clichés
Common Words
Copyright Information
Grammar
Grammar Checker
Homonym
Homophones
How to Write a Poem
Lyrics
Love Poem Generator
New Poetic Forms
Plagiarism Checker
Poetry Art
Publishing
Random Word Generator
Spell Checker
Store
What is Good Poetry?
Word Counter
Hide Ad