Tristan Robert Lange

Color Captivation

Decay bursts forth radiantly

In a fiery explosion of color.

Vibrant and alluring,

The strong frame looms over me.

I can’t stop staring—

The auburn red, the pumpkin orange,

Speckled with golden bronze

And shades of earthen brown—

I can’t stop gazing at it—

Into it—

Through the color canopy,

Bony-white fingers reach—

Claw—

For me.

But I can’t stop—

I can’t move—

Voices are calling out for me,

They’re calling me to come to them

From somewhere—

Outside—

Away from this hellscape

Where I am locked within

The clutches

Of this damnable

Tree.