The generation ship has programs designed to maintain a healthy population. It is perhaps the biggest long term problem of the generation ship. Maintaining biodiversity is a delicate balance. Suppressing health disorders is one of the key stones of the program. Everyone’s health is closely monitored. It might sound unfair but anyone who shows signs illness and disorder that could be hereditary are not allowed to procreate. Having limitations on who can have children presents another challenge. Those allowed to have children are encouraged to do so because it is necessary to maintain a minimum population.

The sun, it rose out of the night sky
and yesterday, forgotten in the tomorrow
of now, right now, a world today.

The morning grew slowly, but without
stop it went only to seem one day
far away from anything know today.

Some people were not allowed to have children and others were strongly encouraged to do so. A delicate balance. Those planing on having children were strongly encouraged register their plans with the medical office. The medical office would perform genetic analysis to ensure healthy children and population diversity. Registration for procreating wasn’t required, that would limit personal freedom to much. Registration wasn’t required but Emily was an officer and officers were expected to set an example. Emily and David were in love. Emily and David wanted to have children. Emily and David would be very happy to have family quarters. Emily and David were in love and they were going to register to have children and not do so until it was approved. Emily and David meet later in their life compared to most couples and wanted to have a child before they were to old.

This particular morning seemed
without compare, but most do.
I suppose in youth all is worthy of repute.

Then an early noon, which is of
itself all consuming and without
threat of tomorrow or care, came.

Six months later the approval came for Emily and David to have children. The medical report said they had two point seven five years to have children before Emily’s age would become to great of health risk to for natural child birth. Sure they would always be allowed to adopt after that and would be encouraged to do so if the need ever came up. Emily and David wanted their own kids though. To celebrate they had a fancy meal and enjoyed some wine. They got back to Emily’s quarters very late, but it was ok, they both had the next day scheduled off.

Profound is the word used to define
it or at least I did, and on that
day all seemed within my reach.

But I cannot share with you that
night, for I have not seen it
today and today I hope never to.

David disrobed and Emily looked upon him for the first time.

“What is that” she exclaimed and he responded that it was a poem.

“But its carved into…. into you…. into your skin!”

“It is a poem of my flesh” David said.

I could tell you how yesterday did
end but it would be a lie because
today is all we recall nor tomorrow too.

Tags: Generation Ship, NaBloPoMo '08, Poem, Sci Fi