LOVING THE ALIEN

Sniff of chlorophyl
whiff of ether
Look down
see fronds part and unfurl
cupping
leafy embrace
cool breeze
tugs you in
moss is velvet
you sink the green
plant yourself
lean in and
skin unfurls to mask you
kissing inside and out
you are draped
try to make sense
of distant calls
lose yourself in
the wind blowing
through her branches
are you dead
or are you
loving the alien?

lost on mars
lost on venus
You have your compass
it doesn’t lead you home
spoiled forever
for earth girls now
spoiled like meat.
Press up against
foreign atmosphere.
Do you lose yourself
if you love the alien?

***

RIP Ray Bradbury
new sneakers hitting the pavement
forever