Ode for a Fortunate Infant Newborn: Smacked and Screaming — Hardly more than a new fact, A statistic Already forgetting The crush into Becoming. This “tabula rasa,” Kicking and flailing, Not yet swaddled or cradled, Held only by Fate In the first minutes of Destiny (unformed and waiting) With a heart Needing to be embracd By more than just touch, But blessed to completely feel The warmth of Acceptance That founds a first sense Of Identity as being a Self Here linked with Others… For the first lessons of Love — Swaddled in belonging Wrapped with thanksgiving. (c) s.y.eslnger 5/24/2024 Thanks be to God…