Gospel off the Serpent's Tongue

Tristan Robert Lange


Notice of absence from Tristan Robert Lange
My dog, Chloe, passed away last night. I had just written and published a poem about her a few weeks back. I am very saddened by this. If I am a little slow to respond, that is why. Thank you for your understanding. Peace, Love, Poetry.

Tristan
The Serpent Shaman—
Standing still, silent—
Shares in a moment,
The seeker acolytes
Affirming the dark medicine.
 
One leathered leg up,
Knee bent like a black rainbow,
Righeous rebellion lays claim
Atop a monitor—
Distortion now
 
A whisper—
 
The morbid mystic is poised,
Their tattooed arms and fingers,
Bearing profound pointed inversion—
A perversion of the pathetic.
 
Never a demon,
But Satan’s mirror—
Far from anti-Christ,
But Christ’s inverted geist—
The Shaman’s confession,
Consecrated in a moonless mass,
Becomes a ceremonial confessional.
 
Pain pours profusely
Out of the resurrected professional
Professing the secret
To shedding one’s skin.
The key:
Uncovering the skeletons within.
 
What purpose does one assign
Their pain?
By keeping it in
What is to gain?
Escape becomes their name—
Such a pitiful shame.
 
The Shaman used honest magic,
A mushroom cloud explosion,
GIving their disciples
Permission for pain expulsion.
 
The dark alchemy
Creates an obsidian oracle
Beneath an onyx overhang—
Sacred shelter from
The sacreligious lambs
Lamenting the fall,
The mercurial descent,
Of their performative power.
 
Coming back, baby.
The angel spreads i ts wings.
Tbe age has arrived.
Better things to be born.
 
© 2025 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
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Comments +

Comments3

  • sorenbarrett

    Ah this time you have gone metaphoric on steroids. Well done Tristan

  • Poetic Licence

    Firstly I am sorry to hear your sad news, I hope it was a peaceful departure. I am starting to think you might have direct access to someone in hell!!!, this is a complicated and deep write, with a few ways to interpret the wonderful writing, enjoyed the read

  • Cheeky Missy

    You're a riot. If only...Frank Peretti, that's who you remind me of, yes. La dee, a verbal tour de force of the darker side of protestantism and who will enter may hug their coats to themselves. Gorgeously rendered with superb imagery and a damning poignancy. Thank you for sharing.



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