This poem was written for Fernando who was born on August 31st, 2000 as I witnessed his arrival on this earth and thought of the birth of my grandson two months later.

The Voyager
On the inside,
little man wonders what is going on?
What did he do to get evicted
from his safe comfortable home?

What caused these strange quakes
distrubing his peace, poor little troubled man, journeying to this earth,
push after push, contraction after
contraction
one heart beat at a time.

Velvet black harmony, warm watery womb,

Why must he say goodbye to Heaven
and journey to an unknown earth?

Surely the fragrance of Paradise
clinging to him
will sweeten our planet, his new home.

Time stops for Birth or Death,
Sheltered from daily affairs,
all the thoughts and efforts
in the room
have one goal,
to help the voyager arrive home.