Blue Haze

We began to lose him
soon after he started microdosing LSD,
convinced that research evidence
from the Berkley Foundation proved
it was safe to use in minute doses.

Within weeks he reported heightened
awareness and talked wide-eyed
about seeing into the soul of Hendrix;
up all night wandering through
newly-opened doors of perception.

By day he disappeared inside clouds
that changed colour according to his mood;
creative-orange, passion-red, but often,
like today, sad-blue – about never managing
to achieve his idol’s purple haze.