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they stood there
still and swaying,
hair brightly glowing—
floating upward—
hot cotton-ball-white,
clouds covered their
thunderclap face—
eyeballs of electric-
blue light enveloped
voids of LED glow.
an alabaster crevice
separated two stern,
leviathan-ash lips.
their vestments white-
smoldering smoke,
their collar—stole—
the deepest obsidian.
arms stretched outward to each side, forming the cross-section
of a roman cross, the patibulum humanum, the weight of pain
put on them like hot-cruciform irons coaling their weary eyes.
yet instead of searing screams, backwards prayers uttered
become the clue that something was different, something was
changed—nay—i am
the one who changed.
they started with amen,
the prayer an answer,
never a pathetic petition.
i realized they stood not,
but hung hopefully happy—
inverted—peering deep
into irony’s reflection.
Poet’s Note:
A shape/concrete poem for Scorched Sunday. A part of my Scorched Strays series. Today, I am the scorched stray on display. But what happens when one realizes they enjoy the flames?
© 2025 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
First published on tristanrobertlange.com, November 16, 2025.
Tittu
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Author:
Tristan Robert Lange (
Offline) - Published: November 16th, 2025 07:12
- Comment from author about the poem: I’m now published in an anthology featuring authors from across the Poconos, PA. All proceeds benefit the Pocono Liars Club — a collective of authors and editors dedicated to supporting and mentoring local writers. Available in paperback and Kindle, please consider purchasing one and supporting a great cause. https://a.co/d/58uxM69
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Comments3
The form of the poem an inverted cross and so the content as well. I always wondered why not done on a Wednesday the farthest from Sunday. A most interesting write Tristan. Years ago I read extensively from Crowley to Levey and Wait, the masons and illuminati from witchcraft to alchemy but stomach full I returned to mythology and then poetry. All related I guess.
This is when you need, Orchi. Was it John who got crucified upside down.
Cruel time in Roman times, but they died in the faith they believed in.
Fast-forward today, and some might say religion should be on the cross.
Oohh, I never knew there was all this stuff in prayer. I prefer keeping it simple. And we still pray, even though 'Your heavenly Father knows what you need before you ask Him' (part of Matthew 6).
The only one needing scorching, prayer or not, is a certain guy who always pops up - we knows him! lol. Hint; it's somebody and Co. heehee.
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