I’m an alien in a strange land,
Soft scaley skin sets me apart.
Large eyes give earthlings a start.
Intentions are hard to understand.
This earthling can raise a beautiful flower,
And, do art that is really pleasing.
Tensions of what is new should be easing,
‘Tho often there is an angry glower.
I’ll take a place in this line,
These humans think I am from Mars.
Time travel is twisted like a vine.
Having traveled the distance from the stars,
And, motives are just benign,
What will they say in their memoirs?
Francis Conlon is a retired and recovering teacher. For the past 20 years, he has worked as a seasonal river ranger and boat inspector at Yampa River State Park in northwest Colorado. He has published in the local Valley Voice and in Westward Quarterly. He currently lives in Salt Lake City, Utah.