strangers passing by
there were four of them
marching down the sidewalk
a band of brothers and sisters
as if on a mission from god
it was quitting time and I was
getting into my car as they
were swiftly approaching
to get a closer look
I used my rear view mirror
and then directly outside my window
as they passed by excitedly
they were talking to one another
laughing and smiling and seemingly
unconcerned about privacy
though I somehow understood
every single word they said
their demeanor and inclinations
told me they must be aliens
and before they made it to the corner
their aura pixelated and dissipated
like a mysterious fog quickly lifting
june two thousand nineteen
copyright j matthew waters
all rights reserved