It's Still Life

3 of 27: Threshgold – a Colour once felt, not seen—the terror just before hope

3 of 27: Threshgold – the terror just before hope

I. The Threshgold

Threshgold is not the leap—
it’s the foot hovering
above the abyss,
the heartbeat where falling
and flying
still wear the same face.

You’ll find it in the pause
before the pistol shot,
before the verdict,
before the kiss lands—
that liquid second
when the universe hesitates,
and you could still
choose not to.

II. The Flicker

It smells like struck matches
in a windstorm,
like sweat on a knife-hilt,
like the first syllable
of a word that could
undo you.

It’s the glint in the wolf’s eye
just before it decides
if you’re prey.
The creak of the noose
before the drop.
The last breath
before the dice stop rolling.

Threshgold itches.
It’s the spark
that could burn down the barn
or light the lantern—
and you’re holding both hands
over the flame,
waiting to see
which one you’ll use.

III. The Ritual

You will name it cowardice
when it’s really courage
still buttoning its coat.

You’ll call it weakness
when it’s strength
digging its nails into its palms
so it won’t grab the wheel
and swerve.

Threshgold is the moment
you realize:
to hope is to disarm.
And still—
still—
you consider it.

IV. The Edge That Cuts Both Ways

It’s not the fear of falling.
It’s the fear that the ground
might catch you,
that the net might hold,
that the door might open—
and you’ll have to live
with what comes after.

Threshgold is the terror
of being seen
exactly as you are:
a creature of want,
a sack of raw nerve,
a hand extended
in the dark
hoping to be met.

V. Felreil’s Footnote

He finds it in hospital hallways,
on balconies at 3 a.m.,
in the space between a trigger
and its consequence.

He doesn’t collect it.
He leans in,
until his heartbeat syncs
with the wavering thing
in your chest—
and for one unbearable second,
you’re both the blade
and the throat.

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Some artwork is created using Midjourney AI, and is identified as such in the ALT text or captioned. Images are copyright and not to used without permission, which I willingly give when asked, and when not for commercial use. Imagery and poems/prose ©Misky 2006-2025.