Imprisoned in Gray

This poem was written in response to the Rattle® Poetry Ekphrastic Challenge for December 2025 and was ultimately not selected. You can find more information here.

https://rattle.com/page/ekphrastic/

Imprisoned in Gray

Confined to colorless hues

Restricted to a monochrome palette

Between black and white

A dull and drab existence

But I wish to live in color

In vivid shades of pigment

That paint true life

-

By day

To run through verdant fields

Amongst blush-tinted clover

Lay beneath lapis lazuli skies

Be kissed by golden amber rays

Dotted with wildflowers of

Ruby and amethyst

As bumblebees flit

Like little lemons on

Emerald leaves

And by night

To look up at milky stars

Glowing opal against

Indigo heavens

Sitting amongst chestnut hues

Of an old pine cabin

Heated by a

Roaring crimson fire

Flickering with ochre fingers

That reflect in my eyes

-

But alas,

I am a prisoner in gray

In a steely slate cage

Oh, but in my dreams

I am free to paint

Submitted under MRB