123

CGTA TAGC ATGC……

Every digit

Every letter

Every sequence

Is mine

These letters

These digits

These sequences

Are unique

They will determine who I will be

What I will deicide

How successful I will be

What I will look like

How I will act

These infinite amount of traits and characteristics will make me,

Me

4

My cells are moving

Moving

Splitting

Dividing

Constantly making my body

Bigger

Stronger

More fit for survival

And by now I have a digestive system

I digest the food that you taste

5 6

Thinking

Now I have a functioning nervous system

I think about you

Wondering

Wondering

Wondering what your choice will be for me

I know I am a mistake

But I am your mistake

And maybe

Depending on how you choose,

I could be your best mistake

7 8 9

*Lub dub lub dub lub dub*

My heart is strong

You can feel it

So can I

I am yours, you are mine

What is my worth to you?

10

Maybe now you can consider me to be a fetus

But am I not your baby?

Can you feel my fingers?

Can you see my toes?

11

My teeth are forming

The bones that I will have for the rest of my life

12 13

You take us to your OBGYN

You are one third of the way there

I do not have down syndrome

I do not have trisomy

I am healthy

And still

I do not meet your standards

You will not abandon me

...at least not yet

14 15

My eyes are developed

Given different circumstances

I could see you

I can cry

Silently screaming

You don't want me

I cry

I can suck my thumb

Maybe it’s comforting

Maybe I just needed you

And you didn’t need me

I still need you

You are still mine

I am forever yours

16 17

I have hair

Tastebuds

A heart

A brain

You can leave me

I can allow it

I wish you wouldn’t

But you could

I was your mistake

I wish I was your best mistake

18-25

I can hear you for the first time

My mom is going to kill me

My mom is going to kill me

My mom is going to kill me

Over and over

That's all you ever say

You keep saying it

My mom is going to kill me

But I’m worried that my mom is going to kill me

Choice

Choice

Choice

Everyone tells you that it’s your body

It’s your choice

But what about my body?

What about my choice?

What about your choice to stay for a while?

What about your choice not to drive away?

What is my worth to you?

40

You realized

Or maybe I convinced you,

The choice was never yours

But

God

I am so glad you chose me.