Invasion, by DAVID TRINIDAD

Kevin McCarthy knows what is happening.

Unwittingly, he’s discovered something odd:

Aliens are posing as human beings.

One by one, all the townspeople are changing.

It happens right after they give you a pod.

Kevin McCarthy knows what is happening.

While you sleep, the pod duplicates your body.

Crackling, your flesh shrivels into a lifeless wad.

Aliens are posing as human beings.

When you wake up, you don’t have any feelings.

You look perfectly normal, but you’re a fraud.

Kevin McCarthy knows what is happening.

Franticly, he runs through the streets screaming

Run for your life! They’re here! They’re here!

Oh my God!

Aliens are posing as human beings!

He knows he can’t take speed and drink coffee

forever. Eventually he’ll start to nod.

Kevin McCarthy knows what is happening:

Aliens are posing as human beings.

From “Answer Song” by David Trinidad. (Serpent’s Tail: $10.99; 110 pp.)

1995 Reprinted by permission.