Dear Carol,

 

Can't stay any longer

In your first house,

The house your daddy helped little to build?

Feel the space constraint

And a bit crowded there?

But weren't you the only one in there?

Feel like suffocated there?

But weren't you really breathing for 10 months?

Want to see the light?

Must be pretty dark there, ugh?

 

Welcome to the wide world

Spherical in shape

Sitting on nothing below

Nor hooked to anything above

Dancing around the shining Sun

Hurtling toward a galactic collision

Feel like going back to hide in Mommy's tummy?

 

But hey, wait, this world is filled with

Majestic mountains capped by white snow

Rolling hills draped with green grass and flowery plants

Vast oceans teemed with exotic fish and unlikely things

High prairie munched upon by galloping horses and horny sheep

Low valley frequented by singing and running creeks

Modern metropolis checkered with towering skyscrapers

Rainforests yet to be trekked by humanity

 

It is a world

Called home by six billion of us earthlings

Feel like you are a latecomer?

But it is really a small small world

Thanks to the world wide web

(Not to be confused with the spider web)

Thanks to the jet planes

Thanks to the interstate highways

Thanks to the telecommunications

(A short list of recent human inventions)

The country where your parents came from

Prides itself with four great inventions

Quiz them when you care to ask

 

You came on a good day too

The day after

The International Children's Day

Celebrated in the country

Where your parents once set their feet

 

You came on a whirlwind weekend

When 19 young kids in Tel Aviv

Lost their lives in a suicide bomb attack

Due to a single fanatic

When the Nepal royal family

Was murdered in the palace

Reputedly by the crown prince

When the US Senate

Was about to shake up majority rule

All because of one man's jumping off GOP boat

But do not fret

For peace shall prevail in the end

 

What to do now?

Just concentrate on the milk

Pee and poo at your leisure

Never mind the diapers

(For uncles and aunts will bring in boxes)

Amass some more atoms and molecules

(But not to the extent of Uncle S)

Cry whenever unnecessary and convenient

(Test their love and patience)

Smile and be happy

(Reward them for their tender care)

I will see you in a little while

 

(Composed on June 5, 2001)