Dearest Carrie

I trust you are well and that NYC is to your liking

With reference to your invitation

It would be a pleasure to visit you in the Fall

How strange it was to have spotted you

Walking across that bridge

With trains passing above you

And vehicles to your side

I loved your dress so colourful and bright

It really suited you and shone in celebration

My mother and father have brought me to Venice

You would not believe how hot it is here

I am writing this happy letter to you

With views to the blue lagoon

You asked me how Venice was built

In the middle of this lagoon and why

The reason was quite simple

As the location was chosen for protection

During those turbulent times

The way it was built was very clever

As the city was built using millions of poles

Oak larch and pine

These were sourced from neighbouring countries

And transported to the location by sea

These poles were then driven into the muddy ground

Until solid land was reached

The space between the poles was then filled

With stones and shards and the similar

And this was covered with wooden boards

Which formed a suitable base

And then these guys constructed their buildings

The secret was that there was no oxygen

In the the deep layers beneath mud

Which prevented these foundations from rotting away

It was a wonderful madness as Venice is superb

A City of Beauty and a City of Genius

When I see you next I will ask your parents

If you might accompany us on our next trip

Venice will make your senses tingle and scream

I promise you that but you will need a good supply

Of your cotton summer dresses and your shaded glasses

As the light is so bright and the air is so warm

It travels in naked from the sea and hangs in the blue skies

See you are bringing the poet out in me

Till the Fall

Your loving cousin

Edward O