We were not expecting it when they came from the stars
They looked upon the world and saw cities, trains, and cars
Unexpected guests arriving at our messy home
But mothership landed—we were no longer alone

Every person and nation and camera came to see
We simply could not believe that they were talking trees
They walked slowly with purpose and with their heads held high
They had branches and bark and wore green leaves like suit ties

They first took to the air and surfed through day and night sky
They found insects and feathers and heard the eagle’s cry
Through clear skies and rough winds and turbulent lightning storm
Then patiently waiting for a single cloud to form

And then they came to study the depths of the ocean
Even plankton and algae were given attention
There they swam with small fish, octopus, dolphins, and whales
But the greatest honor was shown to the slow sea snail

Then they moved from the sea to a great range of mountains
They climbed to the top spreading their limbs like large fountains
There they rubbed the snow and smooth rock beneath their bark hands
Enjoying the height from above and view of the lands

Next they journeyed to the desert to walk among dunes
Finding evidence of man among the ancient ruins
Out on the hardpan they watched sidewinder snake practice
But they were more enraptured by the prickly cactus

Finally they turned their gaze from the land to mankind
They studied our writing and art—impressed with our minds
But coughed on the pollution from creating our wares
Not impressed in the least by our history of warfare

Then seeing something made them root to the ground midstride
With a start they became frantic and brushed us aside
Of all things they’d seen, this was the most cruel to their eye
They fled back to their ships and flew away in the skies

Many asked, “But why did they leave? We have to know why!”
Then a man gave account of events with a great sigh
He pointed to his garden out back to clarify
Then said, “The trees fell to their knees, racking with great cries.
They discovered the trees in the pots we call bonsai…”