UFO

Poem by Marc Davidson

I grabbed a pair of old pie plates

and taped them both together,

with helium balloon inside –

safe from the outside weather. 

I painted them with little lights 

and windows with a wiper 

plus little stripes on underside

to indicate speeds hyper.

I launched it on its merry way,

it rose above the roof.

The gentle breeze took it away,

got ever more aloof.

That night, I dreamed of aliens,

but wakened with a start,

looked out the window at a glow

that nearly stopped my heart.

For there it was – my pie plate ship

but on a larger scale.

Emerging from it were strange folk,

tall, thin, and with a tail.

Each alien glanced all around 

until one spotted me.

He gestured for me to come near, 

with quite apparent glee.

Now timid, I approached the one

who seemed to be their chief.

He gestured to me to come near 

and spoke in manner brief.

He held up to my wondering eye

my little pie plate ship,

then told me with a wary eye

that I “should get a grip.

“This space junk that you threw away

could cause a lot of grief.”

Although his face was hard to read, 

I’m strong in my belief

that he was nearly in what passed

for tears among his race.

I tried to say, “I’m sorry,” but

he put me in my place.

“You all amaze us with the lack

of thought for what you do.

How would you like it, earthling,

if we threw our junk at you?”

“Then teach us better,” I replied. 

“You must know what we need.

Help us become a better race,

not ruled by hate and greed.”

“An excellent idea,” he said. 

“Look for our coming soon.” 

Their ship took off and sailed in the

direction of the moon. 

And now I sit and wait in dread

at what I must have started.

Will they come back in friendly mode

as if we’d just now parted?

Or will they come to cleanse the earth

of what they deem a menace?

And should I warn somebody, or

just keep on playing tennis?