To Be Human

When first it came, I was afraid

Of something yet unknown

They landed in the forrest glade

With crafts unlike our own

Sunlight broke through hazy smoke

Reflected off the ship

The earth she smiled as dawn awoke

And shook off darkness’ grip

A hush fell over nature’s lips

The birds and bees grew still

For visitors who made the trip

Now sat upon the hill

The craft it shimmered; a door slid open

And time and movement blurred

A creature stepped out onto land

With sound like hummingbird

With pewter skin, and large round eyes

And limbs that seemed too long

It stopped with look meant to appraise

A gaze profound and strong.

It spoke no word, but feeling grew

And broke through mental haze

A question but I somehow knew

The meaning in that gaze.

I breathed one word, “human”

Put my hand over my heart.

“Our life is messy, not to plan

But here’s the best part.

“The beauty of our world is not

The place where we abide

The music of our soul is thought

It’s love and joy and what’s inside.

“To be a person is to feel

The happy with the sad

We humans are not made of steel.”

I reached out for its hand,

The touch was cold and foreign

And soft like ocean spray

Though goose bumps flew across my skin

I did not flinch away.

It followed me to the town

A gorgeous summer day

I led the creature all around

To show the human way.

I showed a puppet theater

The crowd laughing with cheer

The gift of human humor

A gift so free and clear

I showed it love of family

Those we hold so dear

A grandpa bouncing on his knee

His joy of later years.

I showed the pure unselfish hand

Of children who give so much

A boy who gave the homeless man

The food he had for lunch

The woman who had tried so long

To have a baby boy.

The moment she became a mom

That pain and fear and joy.

I showed it love and grace and peace

The best of human race

I showed it more, but especially these

And wonder shone from its face.

I thought I saw a glistening tear

On the creature’s face

A dripping, glowing heavy sphere

It felt the magic of this place.

And though the creature couldn’t stay

I felt it’s gratitude

I smiled, unsure what to say

A parting gift I viewed

The creature showed me its own earth

A land of different hues

But though a distance from its berth

Our worlds alike in truth

And as it went back to its home.

I knew it came in peace

For while this creature, it did roam

It only sought release

Though different in look from us

It found a welcome friend

And though goodbye, I knew it thus

Our farewell was not an end.