@sineidin51449.bsky.social
Aliens
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
They call them "aliens".
The quiet workers who
tend to our food
so others can eat
and fear them.
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
They call them "aliens".
The quiet workers who
tend to our food
so others can eat
and fear them.
April 8, 2025 at 9:13 PM
Aliens
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
They call them "aliens".
The quiet workers who
tend to our food
so others can eat
and fear them.
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
They call them "aliens".
The quiet workers who
tend to our food
so others can eat
and fear them.
Green and yellow, pink and navy,
orange and baby blue
they work bent over, moving slowly
down the row
picking strawberries.
orange and baby blue
they work bent over, moving slowly
down the row
picking strawberries.
April 8, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Green and yellow, pink and navy,
orange and baby blue
they work bent over, moving slowly
down the row
picking strawberries.
orange and baby blue
they work bent over, moving slowly
down the row
picking strawberries.
I wonder if I could stand
the pain, the monotony
the cold, the wet, the heat,
day after day, month after month
year after year.
Each is hooded, each wears a mask
and each is bundled against
the early morning mist as
they crouch and bend
harvesting lettuce
the pain, the monotony
the cold, the wet, the heat,
day after day, month after month
year after year.
Each is hooded, each wears a mask
and each is bundled against
the early morning mist as
they crouch and bend
harvesting lettuce
April 8, 2025 at 9:11 PM
I wonder if I could stand
the pain, the monotony
the cold, the wet, the heat,
day after day, month after month
year after year.
Each is hooded, each wears a mask
and each is bundled against
the early morning mist as
they crouch and bend
harvesting lettuce
the pain, the monotony
the cold, the wet, the heat,
day after day, month after month
year after year.
Each is hooded, each wears a mask
and each is bundled against
the early morning mist as
they crouch and bend
harvesting lettuce
I wonder if I would
be brave enough,
stoic enough, or strong enough
to endure.
Why do they do it?
How do they endure aching muscles,
tired limbs, and numbed senses
for a few dollars to send home
miles away?
be brave enough,
stoic enough, or strong enough
to endure.
Why do they do it?
How do they endure aching muscles,
tired limbs, and numbed senses
for a few dollars to send home
miles away?
April 8, 2025 at 9:11 PM
I wonder if I would
be brave enough,
stoic enough, or strong enough
to endure.
Why do they do it?
How do they endure aching muscles,
tired limbs, and numbed senses
for a few dollars to send home
miles away?
be brave enough,
stoic enough, or strong enough
to endure.
Why do they do it?
How do they endure aching muscles,
tired limbs, and numbed senses
for a few dollars to send home
miles away?
They burst from the reeds
in the dry river bed.
Twenty runners.
Some carry cardboard suitcases,
some hold hands.
in the dry river bed.
Twenty runners.
Some carry cardboard suitcases,
some hold hands.
April 8, 2025 at 9:11 PM
They burst from the reeds
in the dry river bed.
Twenty runners.
Some carry cardboard suitcases,
some hold hands.
in the dry river bed.
Twenty runners.
Some carry cardboard suitcases,
some hold hands.
Men and women, not one is younger than forty.
They run looking over their shoulders.
Looking back, they run across the dry river bed road.
The first disappear
back into the reeds
They run looking over their shoulders.
Looking back, they run across the dry river bed road.
The first disappear
back into the reeds
April 8, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Men and women, not one is younger than forty.
They run looking over their shoulders.
Looking back, they run across the dry river bed road.
The first disappear
back into the reeds
They run looking over their shoulders.
Looking back, they run across the dry river bed road.
The first disappear
back into the reeds
Falling behind, a woman trips and falls.
Her suitcase breaks open.
She wears a bright print dress.
It once was pretty, but now it’s worn
and so is she.
Her suitcase breaks open.
She wears a bright print dress.
It once was pretty, but now it’s worn
and so is she.
April 8, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Falling behind, a woman trips and falls.
Her suitcase breaks open.
She wears a bright print dress.
It once was pretty, but now it’s worn
and so is she.
Her suitcase breaks open.
She wears a bright print dress.
It once was pretty, but now it’s worn
and so is she.
Back out of the reeds A man runs with a limp.
He lifts her to her feet so carefully, So lovingly
I’m envious
as they hurry into the reeds,
the suitcase left behind.
The runners are gone
the wind whispers
and rustles the reeds
a bird sings
feathered seeds dance in the heat
He lifts her to her feet so carefully, So lovingly
I’m envious
as they hurry into the reeds,
the suitcase left behind.
The runners are gone
the wind whispers
and rustles the reeds
a bird sings
feathered seeds dance in the heat
April 8, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Back out of the reeds A man runs with a limp.
He lifts her to her feet so carefully, So lovingly
I’m envious
as they hurry into the reeds,
the suitcase left behind.
The runners are gone
the wind whispers
and rustles the reeds
a bird sings
feathered seeds dance in the heat
He lifts her to her feet so carefully, So lovingly
I’m envious
as they hurry into the reeds,
the suitcase left behind.
The runners are gone
the wind whispers
and rustles the reeds
a bird sings
feathered seeds dance in the heat
Roaring and spinning wheels
two green jeeps fly over the river bank,
and grind circles in the sand.
Anonymous hunters.
I wonder if I have
the strength of spirit
to live in flight
for the sake of love
of the ones I left behind?
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
two green jeeps fly over the river bank,
and grind circles in the sand.
Anonymous hunters.
I wonder if I have
the strength of spirit
to live in flight
for the sake of love
of the ones I left behind?
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
April 8, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Roaring and spinning wheels
two green jeeps fly over the river bank,
and grind circles in the sand.
Anonymous hunters.
I wonder if I have
the strength of spirit
to live in flight
for the sake of love
of the ones I left behind?
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
two green jeeps fly over the river bank,
and grind circles in the sand.
Anonymous hunters.
I wonder if I have
the strength of spirit
to live in flight
for the sake of love
of the ones I left behind?
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
Spider holes, they’re called spider holes
where they sleep at night.
Dug into the ground in the hills
hidden from the sight
of anonymous hunters.
where they sleep at night.
Dug into the ground in the hills
hidden from the sight
of anonymous hunters.
April 8, 2025 at 9:08 PM
Spider holes, they’re called spider holes
where they sleep at night.
Dug into the ground in the hills
hidden from the sight
of anonymous hunters.
where they sleep at night.
Dug into the ground in the hills
hidden from the sight
of anonymous hunters.
The spider holes are invisible
shelters against the cold night,
unless the sides collapse
and become a secret grave
and tomb.
Could I endure the terrors
of a land in which
language locks me out
and hates me for who I am
for the sake of my daughter?
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
shelters against the cold night,
unless the sides collapse
and become a secret grave
and tomb.
Could I endure the terrors
of a land in which
language locks me out
and hates me for who I am
for the sake of my daughter?
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
April 8, 2025 at 9:07 PM
The spider holes are invisible
shelters against the cold night,
unless the sides collapse
and become a secret grave
and tomb.
Could I endure the terrors
of a land in which
language locks me out
and hates me for who I am
for the sake of my daughter?
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
shelters against the cold night,
unless the sides collapse
and become a secret grave
and tomb.
Could I endure the terrors
of a land in which
language locks me out
and hates me for who I am
for the sake of my daughter?
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
The spider holes are invisible
shelters against the cold night,
unless the sides collapse
and become a secret grave
and tomb.
Could I endure the terrors
of a land in which
language locks me out
and hates me for who I am
for the sake of my daughter?
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
shelters against the cold night,
unless the sides collapse
and become a secret grave
and tomb.
Could I endure the terrors
of a land in which
language locks me out
and hates me for who I am
for the sake of my daughter?
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
April 8, 2025 at 9:07 PM
The spider holes are invisible
shelters against the cold night,
unless the sides collapse
and become a secret grave
and tomb.
Could I endure the terrors
of a land in which
language locks me out
and hates me for who I am
for the sake of my daughter?
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
shelters against the cold night,
unless the sides collapse
and become a secret grave
and tomb.
Could I endure the terrors
of a land in which
language locks me out
and hates me for who I am
for the sake of my daughter?
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
Is it despair or bravery that spurs them on?
Is it desperation or determination
that brings them here?
Is it fear or ignorance
that tries to drive them away?
There’s so little I know
about myself.
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
Is it desperation or determination
that brings them here?
Is it fear or ignorance
that tries to drive them away?
There’s so little I know
about myself.
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
April 8, 2025 at 9:06 PM
Is it despair or bravery that spurs them on?
Is it desperation or determination
that brings them here?
Is it fear or ignorance
that tries to drive them away?
There’s so little I know
about myself.
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
Is it desperation or determination
that brings them here?
Is it fear or ignorance
that tries to drive them away?
There’s so little I know
about myself.
© 2015 Sineidin O'Niall
The Fat Dog
She was a very small puppy
Her world was a cardboard box
in front of a grocery store
Until she went to a new home
With someone who loved her.
She was a very small puppy
Her world was a cardboard box
in front of a grocery store
Until she went to a new home
With someone who loved her.
March 24, 2025 at 4:46 PM
The Fat Dog
She was a very small puppy
Her world was a cardboard box
in front of a grocery store
Until she went to a new home
With someone who loved her.
She was a very small puppy
Her world was a cardboard box
in front of a grocery store
Until she went to a new home
With someone who loved her.
She learned to explore
So many wonderful things to see
So many smells complex and enticing.
And so she found new things
and traveled to places beyond beyond.
So many wonderful things to see
So many smells complex and enticing.
And so she found new things
and traveled to places beyond beyond.
March 24, 2025 at 4:46 PM
She learned to explore
So many wonderful things to see
So many smells complex and enticing.
And so she found new things
and traveled to places beyond beyond.
So many wonderful things to see
So many smells complex and enticing.
And so she found new things
and traveled to places beyond beyond.
She found a home when she was small
she loved a cat and loved her yard
and slept at night in her own wooden bed
She would lie at night before she slept
And watch the cat watching over her
she loved a cat and loved her yard
and slept at night in her own wooden bed
She would lie at night before she slept
And watch the cat watching over her
March 24, 2025 at 4:45 PM
She found a home when she was small
she loved a cat and loved her yard
and slept at night in her own wooden bed
She would lie at night before she slept
And watch the cat watching over her
she loved a cat and loved her yard
and slept at night in her own wooden bed
She would lie at night before she slept
And watch the cat watching over her
She grew into a bigger puppy,
And raced along the banks
of deep and mysterious rivers
She jumped and ran between towering redwoods
and played in blowing drifts of cottonwood seeds.
And raced along the banks
of deep and mysterious rivers
She jumped and ran between towering redwoods
and played in blowing drifts of cottonwood seeds.
March 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
She grew into a bigger puppy,
And raced along the banks
of deep and mysterious rivers
She jumped and ran between towering redwoods
and played in blowing drifts of cottonwood seeds.
And raced along the banks
of deep and mysterious rivers
She jumped and ran between towering redwoods
and played in blowing drifts of cottonwood seeds.
Then she grew as big a dog as she would be
she went to school and tried her best,
but there was only one person
she would listen to and obey
Her friend, her companion, her heart
she went to school and tried her best,
but there was only one person
she would listen to and obey
Her friend, her companion, her heart
March 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Then she grew as big a dog as she would be
she went to school and tried her best,
but there was only one person
she would listen to and obey
Her friend, her companion, her heart
she went to school and tried her best,
but there was only one person
she would listen to and obey
Her friend, her companion, her heart
Then one day another dog came home
A bassett.puppy with short short legs
And long long ears
Too small to fear
And too loving not to love.
A bassett.puppy with short short legs
And long long ears
Too small to fear
And too loving not to love.
March 24, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Then one day another dog came home
A bassett.puppy with short short legs
And long long ears
Too small to fear
And too loving not to love.
A bassett.puppy with short short legs
And long long ears
Too small to fear
And too loving not to love.
They were the three
The cat, the puppy and she
They played together, walked together.
Ate together
and slept together.
The cat, the puppy and she
They played together, walked together.
Ate together
and slept together.
March 24, 2025 at 4:43 PM
They were the three
The cat, the puppy and she
They played together, walked together.
Ate together
and slept together.
The cat, the puppy and she
They played together, walked together.
Ate together
and slept together.
Together, she and her puppy walked in the desert
through saguaro and ocotillo
and smelled the scents of coyote and rabbit
Together they breathed the desert sickness
and only she survived.
through saguaro and ocotillo
and smelled the scents of coyote and rabbit
Together they breathed the desert sickness
and only she survived.
March 24, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Together, she and her puppy walked in the desert
through saguaro and ocotillo
and smelled the scents of coyote and rabbit
Together they breathed the desert sickness
and only she survived.
through saguaro and ocotillo
and smelled the scents of coyote and rabbit
Together they breathed the desert sickness
and only she survived.
She grew old with her person and her cat
They chased the wind in mountain passes
And ran from waves on Pacific shores
They looked at the lights of starry nights
And slept beside campfires in the still of the forest
They chased the wind in mountain passes
And ran from waves on Pacific shores
They looked at the lights of starry nights
And slept beside campfires in the still of the forest
March 24, 2025 at 4:43 PM
She grew old with her person and her cat
They chased the wind in mountain passes
And ran from waves on Pacific shores
They looked at the lights of starry nights
And slept beside campfires in the still of the forest
They chased the wind in mountain passes
And ran from waves on Pacific shores
They looked at the lights of starry nights
And slept beside campfires in the still of the forest
Now she is old and has lost her sight.
He cat went away and she sleeps alone
She can't walk well and has gotten fat.
Most days she lies In her little wooden bed,
It's too small now but she won't lie anywhere else.
He cat went away and she sleeps alone
She can't walk well and has gotten fat.
Most days she lies In her little wooden bed,
It's too small now but she won't lie anywhere else.
March 24, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Now she is old and has lost her sight.
He cat went away and she sleeps alone
She can't walk well and has gotten fat.
Most days she lies In her little wooden bed,
It's too small now but she won't lie anywhere else.
He cat went away and she sleeps alone
She can't walk well and has gotten fat.
Most days she lies In her little wooden bed,
It's too small now but she won't lie anywhere else.
She is happy though.
Perhaps now, more than ever,
she is happy in her small wooden bed
She imagines and remembers.
Perhaps now, more than ever,
she is happy in her small wooden bed
She imagines and remembers.
March 24, 2025 at 4:42 PM
She is happy though.
Perhaps now, more than ever,
she is happy in her small wooden bed
She imagines and remembers.
Perhaps now, more than ever,
she is happy in her small wooden bed
She imagines and remembers.
She imagines the wind,
and the stars, and the night,
and her friends, the puppy and cat.
She remembers the fields, the ocean,
The desert, the waves, the warm fires,
And being loved.
The Fat Dog is blind,
but all is well.
The Fat Dog is everything she imagines.
© 2016 Sineidin O'Niall
and the stars, and the night,
and her friends, the puppy and cat.
She remembers the fields, the ocean,
The desert, the waves, the warm fires,
And being loved.
The Fat Dog is blind,
but all is well.
The Fat Dog is everything she imagines.
© 2016 Sineidin O'Niall
March 24, 2025 at 4:42 PM
She imagines the wind,
and the stars, and the night,
and her friends, the puppy and cat.
She remembers the fields, the ocean,
The desert, the waves, the warm fires,
And being loved.
The Fat Dog is blind,
but all is well.
The Fat Dog is everything she imagines.
© 2016 Sineidin O'Niall
and the stars, and the night,
and her friends, the puppy and cat.
She remembers the fields, the ocean,
The desert, the waves, the warm fires,
And being loved.
The Fat Dog is blind,
but all is well.
The Fat Dog is everything she imagines.
© 2016 Sineidin O'Niall