Vibrant Eyes
I ordered it online,
a roll-on eye shadow
goes on smooth
creaseless, flawless
innovative, so pretty —
sparkly amethyst powder
in a small glass bottle,
orchid metallic band,
faceted, jewlesque resting
below the slender black cap.
I look for the color –
it must be something elegant
yet bold, wild yet refined,
as captivating and unique
as the packaging.
I turn it, twist it, flip it
upside down and there
on the bottom a label
emblazoned with
80.
80. That’s it.
No exotic color name
just 80.
Not as in the year
I graduated high school,
the year Rubik’s Cube
came out and the year
I earned a new nickname…
Jack-n-coke-Pac-Mac girl,
the same year John Lennon
was shot and killed.
80, as in the year
of my first newish car,
as in the age my mother
looked forward to but
didn’t make by 60 days,
not my percent of correct
jeopardy questions,
not when I worked two jobs
to pay for my newish car.
80…
so I decide to give it
a suitable name, something
ethereal and mystical, brazen
but authentic, colorific, radiant,
irresistible. Think, ruminate,
contemplate, cogitate, muse,
meditate, ponder, deliberate,
cerebrate, consider, stew
yeah/nah, hmmm,
finally decide
80
is perfect.
~ J R Turek Hour 4
What a curious journey you led me on. This is a skill I haven’t attained yet! delightful! I agree “80” is the perfect name!
Thank you!
Ah, what a sweet ending. I love the way you decided 80 was the perfect name. So many fond memories of the number 80 for you. I’m tickled that this poem “Vibrant Eyes” came from reading the label on that makeup. It’s a clever poem and touching somehow. My favorite part of the description is
“it must be something elegant
yet bold, wild yet refined,”
Thank you!
What an arrestingly vibrant list of adjectives! And I love the way you wove your associations of 80 into the poem. What a great flow of associations. Given all of that there really was no other name than 80, was there?!?? Thank you.
Thnk you!
so fun, a rolling coherent ride. I loved the easy follow through life passages anchored always by ’80.’ yes the perfect name.
Many thanks!
I loved reading your poem. All of the adjectives used and verbs bring a smile.
Ahh, I did my job — thanks for commenting!
This took me right back to the 80’s in my mind! Really clever use of the makeup as a time machine to the joys of the past. Superb!
80 isn’t just a number it’s a color💜💜💜💜
Lol, it is now! ; ) And so funny — I looked at it again… it was upside down, it’s 08! lmbo