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