June 27, 2012 THE VILLADOM TIMES II • Page 17 Area Local man publishes ‘living book’ of son’s poems Never becoming a 30 Staying in place Not moving a bit. The unfriendly clock says I can’t move or budge. My teacher said, “Go.” All along it didn’t move The battery was dead It was 2:29. Arya also wrote “My Calico Cat” about his pet, Fluffy Ears that fold like wings of a bird Camo-colored Bushy like a chinchilla Purrs like the happiest cat on Earth Small padded feet that walk silently Fast like a speeding car Grassy green evil eyes Beautiful like a bride in a wedding dress The book includes an introduction by Bogert School Principal David Kaplan, an introduction and poems by Cavallini School Principal Dr. Gene Solomon, poems from Arya’s friends Anika Chatterjee and Nina Rose, and contributions from Majumder. Copies of the book have been distributed at Bogert and Cavallini schools. The book may be borrowed from the Upper Saddle River Library. Those who wish to purchase a copy may send an e-mail to doyouhaveawonder@gmail. com. For additional information, e-mail doyouhaveawonder@gmail.com. Majumder is also working on a website, mylivingbook.com, which is associated with the new book. “This (book) was my Father’s Day gift from Arya to me this year,” Majumder said. Arya Mujumder and his cat, Fluffy. Arya Majumder had a question for others: “Do you have a wonder?” Now, young readers will have the chance to answer Arya’s question in a “living book” of his poetry, which was compiled and published in his memory by his father, Kumud Majumder. The book includes poems in Arya’s handwriting, photos, and space for young people to leave their own musings and drawings. Majumder, an Upper Saddle River resident, pointed out that the new book -- “Do You Have a Wonder?” – is unique in that it is not a finished product. Other readers have the chance to personalize the book with their own ideas, which may be published in future editions. “This will encourage kids to get into the spirit of writing,” Majumder said. He explained that the title of the book was written next to Arya’s poem, “The Wonders,” which he wrote on Oct. 25, 2007. I wonder if I could fly What will it be like? I will soar in the sky like a bird I wonder what it will be like to sit on Mount Everest Looking hundreds of feet down I wonder what it will be like to be an inventor I wonder what it will be like to go to the moon I will float in space I wonder what it will be like to go to all the places in the world So many things to wonder about Today I have a wonder And the next day I will have another. Majumder explained that, although his son underwent many treatments and lost his battle with leukemia on April 25, 2010, the tone of the new book is positive. He said that, if a boy who was battling cancer could look at the world in a positive way, others could learn from Arya’s hopeful outlook. Arya, who was a student at Cavallini Middle School, aspired to become a Harvard-educated lawyer and a U.S. Senator. When he moved from elementary to middle school in September 2009, he advocated the introduction of a debate program at Cavallini. The school invited him to start this new program, but Arya did not live to see his dream realized. Last year, Majumder and teacher Stephanie Chamberlin established the club and held the first event at Cavallini: a debate among the club’s seventh grade members. The program was held again this year, and included debaters from seventh and eighth grades. Although Arya enjoyed school, he clearly valued his free time. In his poem “2:29,” Arya wrote: Tick, tick, the clock goes