Clairey-boo; on your sixth birthday

From Daddy,

To my beloved daughter,

I want to write you on your sixth birthday,

and I hope you will view this when you are older.

I have found a poem that made me think of you.

You are, as your Thai name would have it,

my shining star. So serious as a babe, you are

now a radiant delight and so very dear to me,

mommy, and all your family and friends.

You are so very generous, so funny,

so tender hearted toward others.

I love to cuddle with you; I hope you will
want to hang out with me as I do you
for many, many years to come.

I had dreamnt since I was young

that I would have a daughter to love so dearly.

You are my dream come true.

Happy birthday, my dearest daughter.

For My Daughter, from Selected Poems

David Ignatow

When I die choose a star

and name it after me

that you may know

I have not abandoned

or forgotten you.

You were such a star to me,

following you through birth and childhood, my hand

in your hand.

When I die

choose a star and name it

after me so that I may shine

down on you, until you join

me in darkness and silence

together.