A beautiful poem about the development and unfolding beauty of new life, written by Tanya Terpstra.
Today, Another Day
Today I began, just a wee little thing
You don’t know I’m around, your little offspring
I’m really so small, but all of me is here
My genetic makeup already so clear
I’m a part of him and a part of you
My biggest wish, that you carry me through
Today, another day, I am four weeks old
Maybe you haven’t even yet been told
That I’m growing inside of you; but I’m still me
Its already determined if I’m a he or a she
The colour of my eyes, or if I’ll be tall
All of it established even though I’m so small
Today, another day, I am eight weeks old
Hopefully to you, I’m a sight to behold
My tiny little body has tripled in size
My miniature heart beating out its reprise
My fingers and toes have started to form
As I lay here inside you, so cozy and warm
Today, another day, I am twelve weeks old
My vital organs are functioning so bold
I can kick and stretch, but you won’t feel me yet
Although I might make your stomach upset
I can close my fingers and curl my toes
I hope, for me, its life that you chose
Today, another day, I am sixteen weeks old
I’m living inside you, you’re my stronghold
I’m safe in here, you’ll protect me right?
‘Cause I’m too little to defend myself in a fight
It’s you I need, as I continue to grow
And daddy too, to be my hero
Today, another day, I am twenty weeks old
You may have felt me as I find my foothold
My delicate chest now rises and falls
I’m practicing to breathe for outside these walls
My little mouth is swallowing more
And my senses are blooming, in case you’re unsure
Today, another day, I am twenty-four weeks old
My body fat is growing to protect me from cold
My lips and eyes are clear to see
My brain is growing, so rapidly
My lungs are developing and now I can hear
So talk to me please, so I know that you’re near
Today, another day, I am twenty-eight weeks old
I can hear your voice, have you been told?
I can open my eyes and turn my head
I’m getting fatter, or so they said
I sleep and wake in regular spaces
As long as I find the most comfortable places
Today, another day, I am thirty-two weeks old
A round little basketball is what I’ve been called
I can tell the difference between dark and light
My legs are growing to give me some height
My hair is growing and I’m gaining weight
As you count down the weeks until my due date
Today, another day, I am thirty-six weeks old
Your energy is probably starting to fold
I’m gaining about twenty-eight grams a day
Filling out your tummy where I don’t plan to stay
No doubt that I poke you with my elbows and feet
I’m getting so excited as we prepare to meet
Today, another day, I am forty weeks old
My impatience to see you cannot be controlled
I’m fully developed, past ready to come
Although I might spend some more time in here, mum
My head is down and I’ll be on my way soon
Apparently its time to leave this cocoon
Today, another day, today I am
I’ve grown so much since I weighed less than a gram
I think that it’s clear, I’m part of a plan
That my life has mattered from the day I began
The doctor was right when he made the great call
That a person’s a person, no matter how small.
