The Man Who Fell Through Colour – “A Public Service Announcement That Nobody Asked For.”
Young Tommy Piper packed a bag,
Said, “Life’s gone flat. It’s such a drag.”
He fancied something strange and wild,
Like every daft, adventurous child.
His mate called Gaz, with knowing grin,
Said, “I’ve got summat. Come on in.”
He pulled a tab from out his coat
“No refunds, mate. Don’t blame the bloke.”
Tommy shrugged.
“How bad’s this ride?”
Gaz just laughed.
“You’ll see,” he cried.
The wallpaper began to sneeze.
The kettle started speaking Greek.
A neighbours cat became a priest,
Who preached to beans instead of beasts.
The garden gnome applied for tax.
A pigeon started selling snacks.
The moon looked down and muttered, “Cor…”
Before it slipped straight through the door.
The carpet stretched a country mile.
The toaster wore a crocodile.
His socks declared they ruled Peru.
His left shoe joined the village queue.
Then came the eyes.
Not one.
Not ten.
Enough to fill a football pen.
They blinked in rhythm, winked in time,
They all agreed his haircuts crime.
“Oi, Tommy!” shouted one bright face.
“Your eyebrows in the wrong place!”
Another yelled,
“You dropped your knees!”
He looked…
They’d climbed the apple trees.
A giant bat flew wearing Crocs.
It challenged clouds to pillow box.
A cactus hosted karaoke.
The judges were a lump of gnocchi.
He fell through colour, loops and spirals,
Past cosmic fish with legal rivals.
Past floating teapots dressed as kings,
And ducks discussing tax returns.
He asked,
“Am I completely gone?”
A voice replied…
“Depends who’s on.”
At last he reached enormous gates,
There stood a bloke who simply waits.
Long beard. Old coat. A pipe in hand.
Looking bored, like staff at Strand.
The old man smiled a knowing grin.
“First time?”
Tommy nodded.
“I think so. Fine.”
The piper puffed, then calmly said,
“Everyone thinks they’re seeing red.
Some meet dragons. Some see God.
Others argue with a parking squad.
Some become philosophers deep.
Some just fancy going to sleep.
One lad spent six entire hours
Explaining feelings to the flowers.”
Tommy asked, “What’s all this for?”
The Piper laughed. “I’ve no idea,
to be quite honest, sport.
I’m just here to mind the door.”
Morning came.
The world stood still.
The birds were loud.
The tea was real.
Gaz walked in with toast and beans.
“How was it then?”
Tom blinked.
“Well… I’ve seen
A bat in Crocs.
A taxpaying gnome.
And I spent three hours
arguing with my own comb.
That’s enlightenment?
It’s rough stuff
They both agreed.
That reality was strange enough.
Tommy floated through the air,
Thinking “did I leave the gas on there?”
The Man Who Fell Through Colour (J.P. Ⓒ 2026)
Inspired by the works of Syd Barrett, Peter Green, Aldous Huxely and Roky Erickson who all overdid drugs.
More random poems are posted here.
