Poem for a New Baby Girl

Listen, this is the best world ever. You should know that
Right off the bat. No matter what happens, that's the fact.
Now, a lot of things will happen, and they will not all be
Peaches and excellent cigars, my small friend. People do
Go and die on you. And cops give you tickets for taillight
Infractions and your dad, no matter what he says, could not
Shoot a basketball at all with his left hand. But remember
The first line of this poem, my friend. There's never been
A world like this, swirling with love and laughter and tall
Cousins and your cool mom and the beach and pears, and
The wonderful gift of brilliant and handsome great-uncles.
Some poems might end right there, but this one has to say:
Welcome. You are loved way more than you know. That's
Proof of the first line of this poem - never ever forget that.

~ Brian Doyle