Phan Lac Giang Dong

Welcoming The New Century

on their way to school
the children cross the street
a light-skinned child
a dark-skinned child
a common familiar smile

an African child, bright-eyed under dark lashes
a Chinese child with a broad smile
a Vietnamese child
an Iranian child
European children recently arrived
from their former homelands

gentle hands
leading a comely Russian child

o, dear children!
the world today
is to be loved
the future is bright
in front of you
a school amidst the hilltops
a new flag waves to the new century
the ...