It Came From Space

 

It came from Space,

landing in a New Jersey farm field,

a tubular spacecraft, devoid of windows

or discernable doors, but emanating

a singular golden yellow glow.

 

The citizens, with mixed feelings,

approached with pitchforks,

torches, Bibles, Geiger counters,

x-ray specs, long sticks, and suspicious

contempt for this newly landed

craft.

 

A rumble at the crash site,

shaking the soil and twitching the

trees, as the spacecraft, opened

a large bay door, spilling more

bright light into the New Jersey night,

the citizens shielded their eyes,

dropping a pitchfork or two.

 

A being, of matter and light,

glowing yet fading, emerged from

the large tube, luminous and flickering,

with gentle waves of mass rolling

across it’s surface. Slender arms and legs,

moved languidly forward from the craft.

 

“What is it,” mumbled Sheriff John, his eyes shimmering in the glow.

“A spaceman,” said Mrs. Carter, breathless with awe.

“Whoa, Whoa, who are you to assign it a gender,” said young Polly.

Polly with hands on hips, a confused, yet accusatory look in the eyes.

 

“Well, I mean, I’m from a different era, they were all called Spacemen then,” said Mrs. Carter.

“I don’t see what authority you have, even if you’re from a different era, to just arbitrarily assign a gender to this being,” said Polly.

“I don’t think Mrs. Carter was trying to incite any disagreement here. Just a…a turn of phrase,” said Sheriff John.

“Um-hm,” nodded Polly.

 

The being stretched its long arms out

over the faces of the gasping crowd,

a benevolence emanated from its kind looking

yet Rorschach face, a feeling of calm

rolled in waves. 

 

“Shoot it,” shouted Jerry Bob, “shoot it because it’s different!”

“Now, now, Jerry Bob, we don’t know why it’s here,” said Sheriff John.

“It’ll make the kids gay,” shouted Jerry Bob.

“I don’t think that’s…,” said Sheriff John, now trying to corral the crowd, but he was shouted down.

“Does it believe in God,” asked one far voice, “is Jesus it’s personal savior?”

“It’s got science stuff, it’s the devil. The Devil I say!”

“Let’s rush it!”

 

Sheriff John looked at Polly for a little help.

Polly shrugged, “They haven’t assigned a gender so… I’ve got nothing.”

 

The outer space being’s glowing skin

began to ripple and change,

like deep sea cuttlefish,

the previous wave of calm seemed to mirror the changes,

the townsfolk turned to each other and

projected their suspicions towards each other.

 

“Johnny Welsh is gay,” shouted Mr. Peabody.

“Hey, I told you that in confidence,” said Johnny, “you said you liked it.”

“Ms. Leigh is a murderer, she killed a kid in college with her car,” said Sam the mechanic.

“Well, Sam records women in the bathroom of the garage,” said Ms. Leigh.

“I lied about having cancer, it was just a rash,” said Sven, “took all that fundraising money and went to Vegas.”

 

Sheriff John shook his head.

“Can we focus on the being from space please,” he asked.

 

Polly pointed at the space being.

“Look, it’s leaving. I think it just gave us a… a middle finger.”

 

“I knew Spacemen were going to be jerks, elitist jerks,” said Jerry Bob.

“Really,” scolded Polly, “Again with that.”

 

The being got back into its tubular spacecraft.

The glowing light ceased, and the vehicle phased in and

out of sight until it was gone, leaving a smoking

crater behind.

 

“Damn it you guys,” said Sheriff John, shaking his head, ripping his hat off his head.

Polly looked at him sharply but didn’t say anything.