Lines 1-2

This poem starts with the literary conceit, or premise, that an alien life form has come from another planet and observed life on earth. The poem is clear about not taking itself too seriously. First, the alien is referred to with the friendly word "tourist," softening any notion of it being a hostile invader and implying a guest/host relationship. The name "Orbitville" is light, somewhat humorous: it implies small-town America, where names like Kentville, Greenville and Roseville are common. The first half of the name is pointedly un-exotic, using a word that shows an almost childish grasp of the reaches of outer space. When this poem was published, in 1963, the United States and Soviet Union space programs had put humans into earth's orbit, and the word would have been in the news daily. The use of the name "Orbitville" sets a light, anti-intellectual, child-like tone...