A Report From The Outside (An Alien's Perspective On Planet Earth) Poem by DM W

I have never really adjusted
Or adapted to the strange colours of exile.
Indeed this world, and its citizens,
Constantly baffle me.
O these peculiar creatures
Bow down before crosses & other
Symbols of ancient suffering.
Pity pervades the human condition.
However, wars are still waged
All over the planet.
Perhaps it's because
War is very good for business.
Although religion is waning,
Its remnants remain
Partly obscured;
Partly deformed.

Millions live in cities.
They rush around all day long.
Many seem to lack, any kind
Of real purpose, in their lives
People are now addicted to gadgets
And attached to small phones.
They are constantly
Reminded of time:
Via constant deadlines.
In love, these creatures
Are irrational chameleons.
Tragedy & heartache abound.

People are part false; part true
In their social interactions.
They work for money to buy things
They need and like.They dress well.
Fashion is more of creed than a fad.
Shopping is increasingly becoming
The most popular leisure pursuit.
Pretty pictures adorn
The walls of their homes.
Via art, music and poetry,
Or in rare moments of ecstasy,
They are briefly lifted
from the world's habitual weight.
They admire pop/ rock and sports stars.
Most are happy to spectate,
Rather than participate.

Their schools train them
To be compliant & obedient.
By the age of seven
Their imaginations are dead.
And mind expanding drugs
Are still illegal.
They age too quickly
To understand their true purpose.

They seem to think
That they are a species apart.
The animals are their slaves.
People like to eat their meat.

They need leaders;
Popes, kings & presidents
To tell them what to think.
I find this notion so naive and quaint.
Despite their considerable wealth,
They have not eradicated poverty.
Indeed, the gulf between rich and poor
Seems to be exponentially increasing,
They are forever polluting
Their beautiful, fragile blue/green planet.

Their opinions are formed mostly
From T.V, movies and the internet,
Although a significant number
Of them still read books.

They've flown to the moon,
But distant galaxies
And exotic life forms
Remain a mystery to them.

At night, when the lights go out,
They all seem to sleep like babies.
In vivid dreams they learn
About themselves and the world of spirits.
Their minds are still
Essentially primeval.