Monday, January 23, 2012

Peter Allen Rockwell Davis

A poem written for Peter by my sister, Emily.


Peter Allen Rockwell Davis
October 3, 2011 
By: Emily Soule    

We saw you today.
In days past, we might have seen a dark film covered with splotches of white.
Later, we might have been able to make out a hand, a foot, or the curve of your head.
But today, today we can see you in real time, we see you moving and we breathe a sigh of relief.
We see you twitch, and clench, and stretch in your warm, watery surroundings.
Dark spots on the ultrasound of your brain.
Worry.

For nearly nine months we've waited, though I can't say patiently.
We've crocheted all the sky blue afghans, and stitched every thin, flannel, bear covered receiving blanket you could need.
Gathering together around you and your mother, we've supplied you with diapers, clothes, booties, bottles, and bears.
Mostly blue, probably more for our lack of imagination than for your personal preference.
Anticipation.

A planned birth come too soon.
Doctors are much smarter than they used to be, they will make sure you and your mommy are okay.
Don't worry, you're safe now.
Five pounds.
It's hard to believe such a little baby took up so much room!
Relief.

You've already beaten the odds.
Extra genetic material on the 18th chromosome brings trials and pain no little baby should endure.
But you're not alone, your mommy and daddy are stretched thin with agony and love.
One on the outside, like me, can't fully understand but I still feel.
Your little heart beats abnormally.
Pat pat, pat pat, pa—pat pat.
Even without that extra challenge, your life is fated to be a short one.
Science is against you, most give you hours, some give you days.
Your family gives you eternity.

6 comments:

  1. This is beautiful - I love the last line.

    Tracy, thank you for sharing so much -- it can't be easy. Please know that we are praying for you and your family and that we put your names on the prayer roll regularly.

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    1. Thank you so much, Brooke. I appreciated you sharing your experiences with your miscarriage. I really related to what you have learned from it.

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  2. Incredibly beautiful. We love you all and we will remember Peter.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you, Chantelle. We are blessed to have you as family.

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  3. Wow. That was really beautiful Emily.

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  4. Is it really fair? I mean, having this much talent in one family? I don't think it is, personally, but I'm grateful for it. I love that image in the first line: "In days past, we might have seen a dark film covered with splotches of white.". Ah.

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