thrill ride

Tristan Robert Lange



i was drawn to the coaster
from the blasted poster
hung up on the strip joint wall.
 
i sat in it in confidence—
no need for god’s providence—
a lap bar to stop the fall.
 
“hold both your damn arms, clown,
i will lower your lap bar down.”
its voice echoed down with gall.
 
but as the ride started going—
lap bar movement not showing—
my heart clenched into a ball.
 
the upside-down loop approaching,
the terror fast encroaching,
but this coaster car won’t stall!
 
six, five, four, three, two, one—
oh freaking no!—i am done!
this damn devil’s my fun’ral
 
p
a
l
l
.
 
© 2026 Tristan Robert Lange. All rights reserved.
First published on tristanrobertlange.com, October 24, 2026.
 
Tittu
 

 

 

 

 

+++

 
Coming Saturday, Halloween:
 
DEVILISHLY DREADFUL
Devil's Alley; or The Last House on the Right
on October 31, 2026
 
+++
 
Now Available:
 
Appalachian Virtual Ensemble peforming
Tristan Robert Lange's
Annabel Lee
A Tone Poem Interpretation of
Edgar Allan Poe's "Annabel Lee"
 
available for FREE
on Bandcamp and
most streaming services.
 
Visit https://avensemble.bandcamp.com/track/annabel-lee to stream and/or download for free.
Comments +

Comments7

  • orchidee

    Good write T. Agh! Not Mondays. lol.

    • Tristan Robert Lange

      HAHAHA! Orchi, there's simply no escaping the madness anymore! Not even on weekends! LOL! πŸŽ’πŸ˜ˆπŸ’€πŸ™

    • sorenbarrett

      A ride to hell a modern Charon where one has to pay to ride and there is no going back. I remember once riding at an amusement park where they forgot to close the lap bar and I was hanging on for dear life. Good one Tristan

      • Tristan Robert Lange

        Holy hell, Soren! You actually lived through something like that?! I'm glad you made it back to shore without paying Charon his fare! LOL! Thanks for sharing that with me, my friend! πŸŽ’πŸ˜ˆπŸ’€πŸ™

        • sorenbarrett

          My pleasure my friend

        • Lorenz

          when you 've survived a day in the hell that is Alton Tower you're a man my son !

          • Tristan Robert Lange

            Keep the certificate of manhood, Lorenz...I’ll be at the snack stand, bravely guarding the doughnuts! I went on the Nitro at Six Flags Great Adventure here in NJ and, well, the "Air Time" nearly made me need a fresh new pair of pants. I survived. Does that count? LOL! 🎒 😈 πŸ’€ πŸ™

            • Lorenz

              I took a look .. Yep ,I admit ...

            • nephilim56 ( Norman Dickson)

              good write my friend

              • Tristan Robert Lange

                Thanks for riding along, Norman...I’m heading straight for the funnel cake. Let'e know how the inversions go! ! LOL! 🎒 😈 πŸ’€ πŸ™

                • nephilim56 ( Norman Dickson)

                  lol

                • Teddy.15

                  Bloody hell, I love this... Your scenery and atmosphere is fabulous, you did make me chuckle because I've been to hooters but never to this joint... 🀣

                  • Tristan Robert Lange

                    Haha! Thank you, Teddy! Been to the "family-friendly restaurant" Hooters too 🀣, though now that I am vegetarian...not much there for me! LOL! Strip joints aren’t my thing... but apparently I’ll put a roller coaster in one! 🀣 🎒 😈 πŸ’€ πŸ™

                  • Kevin Hulme

                    That'll teach him to sneak on for Nothing.
                    A good Write.

                    • Tristan Robert Lange

                      Haha! Thanks, Kevin! I think he’d gladly pay double to get off now! 🎒 😈 πŸ’€ πŸ™

                      • Kevin Hulme

                        My Pleasure.

                      • Tony Grannell

                        Hello, Tristan,

                        Thundering helter skelter at white knuckle speed for entertainment - you'll find me in the pub. A rip roaring descent into hell. I'm in a cold sweat just reading it. Well done, my friend.

                        All the best,

                        Tony.



                      To be able to comment and rate this poem, you must be registered. Register here or if you are already registered, login here.