Colour Me In by Suzanne Woolley

Empathy rains colour like a lava lamp.

I watch it float along a hidden tide,

pastels passing through me

in fleeting moments

yellow, purple and pink

transcending through my skin

it is the brightest colours that linger.

Blue smashes into my stomach

like waves breaking

then leaking from my eyes,

Red begins as a fizzle in my chest

quickly spreading like fire

the flames fuelling my fists and tongue,

then the Black –

Black pools in my head,

ink puddling on a blank page

it’s thick dark tentacles invade my veins

poisoning my muscles

they become heavier until my head drops.

I catch your eyes and everything is grey

as though suddenly colour blind,

I fear I am mute –

and turn to see you in technicolor.

these colours are not mine –

just a loan