You are born

Before you were born

there was a world

with leaves in it

and people whispering

and you were not there.

The world was minus you.

Before you were born

there was not you

walking down the hall.

Bouncing a red ball.

Eating chicken soup

in the kitchen.

You did not (yet) throw a ball

at Arnie Charnick and

break his tooth.

That was (would be) later.

Then light, blinding dazzling crash of light.

You are born.

You were not. Now you is.

Maira Kalman, Chicken Soup, Boots

Happy new year!