A Poem for Life: Heartbeat

My hope for the true victory of the pro-life movement is not in government policy, and certainly not in whoever sits in the Oval Office. My hope rests in the Spirit of God moving people to see the inherent goodness, beauty, and truth of treating human lives in the womb with the same seriousness as we ought to treat all human life by caring for each life, from conception to burial, as if it were made in the image of the living God. There is great beauty in our position. There is great horror in the destruction of what is beautiful.

Heartbeat

Bump.
Bump. Bump.
18 days and here it is.
Bump.
Bump. Bump.
So small. So fragile. So wonderful.
This little pump.
Bump.
Bump. Bump.
Crimson life with each new beat.
My little life has planted its seat.

Bump.
Bump. Bump.
Mommy, are you starting to show?
Now the world can see me grow!
Bump.
Bump. Bump.
A little bigger each new day.
A little more of me just saying “hey.”
Bump. Bump.
Baby Bump.
One more selfie its okay.
Tell them its me just saying “hey.”

Thump.
Thump. Thump.
What a machine, do you hear it now!
Is that Daddy, is he so proud?
Thump.
Thump. Thump.
You said its really funny.
He called me his peanut inside your tummy.
Thump.
Thump. Thump.
Mommy your skin is all covered in gel.
Hearing mine makes your heart swell.

Bump.
Bump. Bump.
A little more time’s gone by.
Bump.
Bump. Bump.
Still it beats. Still it drums.
Bump.
Bump. Bump.

But now a—bump.
Bump. Bump.
Mom, what’s going on?
Is there something wrong?

Bump.

I’ve felt you shout and heard him too.
Is it because so much is new?

Bump.

Mom, are you okay?
I felt a little funny the other day.

Bump.

I’m not sure what’s going on.
But at least I know you’ll always be my mom.

Bump.

This feeling, still it grows.
What it is, I just don’t know.

Bump.
Bump. Bump.

No, this can’t be right.
This feeling I got today.
There’s simply no way.

Still it’s there and it seems so clear.
I must admit, that I’m starting to fear.

No. No. No! I won’t believe.
For you supply me every day.

Bump.
Bump. Bump.

Mom?
Dad?
It’s me. Don’t you hear?

Bump.
Bump. Bump.

You’re my parents.
Don’t you love me?
Why do I feel so alone in here?

Bump.

Mom, there is something we must discuss.
It feels so odd, but I believe I must.

This body is mine, not yours you see.
Look at my hands.
Look at my feet.

This body is mine, not yours you see.
Just listen to my heartbeat.

This body is mine, not yours you see.
No matter if you call me unhealthy.

This body is mine, not yours you see.
Is this really so hard to convey?
Mom, I have my own DNA!

This body is mine, not yours you see.
Of this I haven’t a doubt.
I am the proof.
Please, don’t take me out.

This body is mine, not yours you see.
Mommy.
Daddy.
Don’t you hear my heartbeat?

Beep.
Beep. Beep.
Daddy, it’s me.
Your peanut, your mini-me.
I’m strong, I’m tough.
Don’t turn away.
Daddy, Daddy
Please stay…

Beep.
Beep. Beep.
Mommy, it’s me.
I’m me not you.
Why am I the only one who thinks this true?
Mommy, Mommy
Please…

Love me enough to see my heart.
Love me enough to let it beat.

Further Reading

• The Irreducible Glory of a Human Life
• A Poem Inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien: Exiled
• A Poem: All Authority

Photo by Debby Hudson on Unsplash