Alien

[brynmawr1]

Alien

We don't know what we're looking for.
Their lives could last for only seconds,
their outlines follow any form.
We miss complexions unexpected. 

Some worlds could last for only seconds,
unrecognized in darkened spaces.
We miss complexions unexpected,
yet softer focus shows us hidden faces,

unrecognized in lighter spaces.
The outline of a face may be illusion
as mammal brains configure hidden faces,       mammalian I think is the adjective of mammal?
a primal gift from evolution.

The features in a face can be illusion—
their eyes could follow any form.
Depending on their evolution,
we don't know what they're looking for. 

dark space/white space 
humans see faces everywhere 

I wonder if I'll know my self when I see it—
I don't know what I'm looking for.
They say that extraterrestrial life could take any form.
Maybe I'll never recognize them in the dark spaces.

We don't know what we're looking for
and so much is still formless and void.
Maybe we'll never recognize them in the dark spaces,
because our eyes try to harmonize.

So much is still formless and void.
Is it possible to see beyond words?
My eyes always try to harmonize.
Alien lives could last a second, or for eternity.

Maybe it's not possible to see without words;
familiarity parents the mind.
Alien lives could last a second, or for eternity.
I'm trying to notice my thoughts like children

but familiarity parents my mind.
I always repeat the same words to my reflection in the mirror.
I'm trying to notice my thoughts like children
and trying to see the other face in the illusion.

I always repeat the same words to my reflection in the mirror
and I miss the complexion I don't expect.
I'm trying to see the other face in this illusion—
I think it's in the white space.

I miss the complexions I don't expect.
They say extraterrestrial life could take any form;
I think they're in the white space.
I wonder if I'll know my self when I see it.

(previously titled, Extraterrestrial)

 

Hi Lizzie,
Kudos for digging out such an old one and revising. I think your current version is much tighter and reads exceptionally well.  I have to admit I missed some of the personal context of the original and still long for a happy medium, but I find all I want in the current version.  I quibbled over some word choices but I don't think they would change things in a meaningful way except for the one suggestion.  Form poems are like holy water to me and I admire anyone that can walk through their fire with such ease.
Well done,
bryn