A Little Package

A little package delivered screaming
By Caesarian slice, already “me”
Not yet “me” becoming “me”, living “me”,
Inside “me”, outside cold Cleveland morning

Beyond the pale of memory because
Before the pale of memory, so now
Four score later I cast shadowless light
Of wonder on scenes unseen, mother dazed,

Father fearful in awe of slimy creature,
The war still raging in his head because
Panoply of casualties not over,
Now this longed for novelty that was “me”

I’m “one”, not “one”, confederation
Of faculties as yet without a flag



January 22, 1946 - January 22, 2026