Praise Song for the Alien in the Shade Garden

It appears overnight, nestled among the fern’s jagged fronds: a ruddy head on a ruddy stem, two ruddy fists clenched just above the place where a heart would be. The small face is bowed, as in defeat. In fear. It appears to be full of doubt. Has it landed on a hospitable planet, a habitable world? Early signs are not favorable.

But warmth will coax it to release its tight grip. Light will loosen its beauty, one serrated frond at a time. Warmth and light will call it here. Into the place where it belongs.