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A Howling Wilderness

I'm readied for the sonogram,
as scanning gel is applied 
to monitor the still-borne
 and uninvited.
I don't want to abort this mass,
not knowing what I'll gain 
in losing a kidney.
Yet, each month I watch.
I haven't even a name 
for this barren ramification 
  of myself.
I wonder, 
why am I so protective 
of such quiescent 
off-spring.