Alone and unhappy, in need of some cheer,
I called to the Universe, “Lend me Your ear!
In all of Your Vastness I fear I’ve been missed,
so give me a sign that You know I exist!”

The Universe answered, “I grant that you do,
but I’m under no obligation to you.
You’re merely a speck in my Infinite Eye.”
Then winking, the Universe bade me good-bye.

I said to the planet, “I feel so alone,
could you provide comfort to one of your own?”
“I’ll try,” said the planet, “but first you must learn
you’re one of six billion and must wait your turn.”

I spoke to the nation to argue my plight:
“You said I’d find happiness, called it my right!”
“The right,” said the nation, “I promised to you
was not to find happiness, just to pursue.”

I looked to my loved ones, but no one was there---
the limbs on my family tree were all bare.
My mother and father had long ago died,
my brother and sister had cast me aside.

I turned to myself: “You are all that I’ve got,
and we can be happy together,” I thought.
But then I grew sad as I seemed to recall
that I’d never cared for myself much at all.