checklist

At 8 weeks it’s arm-buds.

11 is teeth-buds.

At 20 weeks it’s the eggs of my grandchildren.

 

But I was monitoring organs—

How many weeks until—If my body gave out—

She could survive?

 

At 12 weeks the kidneys

begin their lifelong passion

to excrete urine. Check.

 

At 25 weeks—the brain required for consciousness

(check).

 

At 40 weeks the lungs breathe a sigh of relief.

At 40 weeks she must leave me

to come to me.