Poem for an Infant

When a friend of mine became a father many years ago, I thought I would be helpful and offer up some advice to his new son.  The result is below.

I was very proud of managing to write an entire poem in words of no more than two syllables, which I thought was important because after all newborns don't understand much English.

Some Advice

to Alexander Richard Blackwell

[aged 1 month]

don’t cry in the middle of the night

never wander out of sight

smile and giggle at your Mom

keep from sucking at your thumb

learn the world and all its sights

never shrink from its delights

– even if they give you frights –

walk as soon as you are able

keep your dishes on the table

handle mishaps with aplomb

(you can blame them on your Mom)

make some friends and play with toys

but try not to make too much noise

yank the curtains, hit the chairs

don’t let others put on airs

sing aloud with all your might

– but don’t cry in the middle of the night