I Come From the Land of Twilight

I come from the land

Of twilight; I lost my way

A long time ago

*

I was a young girl

With bright eyes and sallow face

And long, wheat-like hair

*

Most spectacular

To all those who observed me:

My pale, verdant skin

*

They examined me

And prodded me, put me on

Display for their joy

*

They did not care what

Their shows did to me. I just

Wanted to go home

*

Then day after day

Year after year, my skin

Lost its greenish hue

*

I grew more like them

Learned to read and write like them

‘Til I was no more

*

They lost their joy in

Looking at me, watching me

I lost my joy, too.

***

Author’s Note: This poem is based on a supposedly true story of a green-skinned girl and boy found in the village of Woolpit in England during the 12th century. You can read more about it here: