Noxious cold blinds,
his blood pulses and
the brain goes numb.
Panic fills the smoke-thick
atmosphere.

A "Who's there?" falls
before a silent response.
A clack under a thumb.
The musket metal gleams
like water in the moonlight.

A fire's scent drifts into his nostrils
as a steady beat of drums --
"war drums"
wiggle through the trees
into his electrified mind.

Moving forward,
the forest canopy transforms--
illuminated tangerine.
Sparks snap like upward
travelling orange muse.

Feathers dance
above the flames.
[war cries]
He retreats back
into the leafy abyss.